Title: Perception and Knowledge In Selecting Preventive Reproductive Health Services Among Women In Lapai Local Government Area Of Niger State
Authors: SANNI, Abdulquadri Isah, Prof. Salaudeen A. G, OGUNBIYI, Opeyemi Christiana
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 38-45
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
This study examined the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive health (RH) knowledge and perception among women residing in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. Key variables considered included age, educational attainment, monthly income, marital status, employment status, religion, and ethnicity. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to recruit participants, yielding a final sample size of 328 women of reproductive age. The study was guided by two research questions and corresponding hypotheses, which were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews to ensure clarity and inclusiveness. The responses were analyzed using frequency distributions, charts, means, and standard deviations, while the relationships between variables were assessed using the chi-square statistical test. Data analysis was conducted with the aid of SPSS version 25.0. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents (75%) had attained tertiary-level education, while 45.1% reported earning less than ?20,000 per month. A substantial proportion of participants were single (59.8%), and most practiced Islam (68.6%), with the Nupe ethnic group being the most represented (45.1%). The results indicated no statistically significant relationship between respondents' knowledge of preventive reproductive measures (? = 3.355; p = 0.449). However, variables such as educational attainment, income level (? = 12.04; p = 0.055), and marital status (p = 0.053) were found to have significant associations with women's knowledge and perceptions regarding reproductive health services. Based on these findings, the study recommends the expansion of affordable and accessible reproductive health services in low-income and rural communities through mechanisms such as government-funded programs and sliding-scale payment systems. Additionally, it advocates for the integration of comprehensive reproductive health education into workplace wellness programs and community outreach initiatives to improve awareness, encourage positive health-seeking behaviors, and reduce disparities in reproductive health outcomes among women in Niger State and similar settings.