Title: Determinants of Public Awareness and Adherence with National Population Policy in Tropical Rainforest Zones: Insight from Osun State, Nigeria
Authors: Ejeh Benedict Mohammad Aminu Gero Haruna Gambo Usur Mohammad Abubakar Ndakuru
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
Pages: 44-55
Publication Date: 2025/05/28
Abstract:
This study assessed the Determinants of Public Awareness and Adherence to the National Population Policy (NPP) in the tropical rainforest zone of Nigeria, with specific insight from Iwo Local Government Area, Osun State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 200 respondents selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine the relationships between socio-demographic variables and both awareness and adherence to the NPP. The results revealed a high level of awareness of the NPP, with 92% of respondents indicating knowledge of its existence. However, adherence to the policy was notably lower, with only 40.5% of respondents reporting compliance with its recommendations. Chi-square tests showed no statistically significant associations between awareness of the policy and socio-demographic variables such as age (?² = 2.08, p = 0.912), ethnicity (?² = 0.87, p = 0.930), religion (?² = 0.176, p = 0.916), education (?² = 3.03, p = 0.553), or income (?² = 1.50, p > 0.05). In contrast, occupation was significantly associated with awareness (?² = 39.16, p < 0.001), suggesting that professional engagement influences access to policy information. Similar trends were found with regard to adherence, with occupation emerging as a key determinant of compliance, while other socio-demographic variables remained statistically insignificant. In conclusion, although general awareness of the National Population Policy is high in Iwo LGA, actual adherence is relatively low. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age, religion, education, ethnicity, and income do not significantly influence awareness or adherence levels. Occupation, however, plays a crucial role in shaping both awareness and compliance behaviors. Recommendations include the need for policymakers and public health communicators to design tailored awareness and compliance strategies that target specific occupational groups-especially those in informal or low-awareness sectors. Community-based interventions and occupational-level stakeholder engagement are recommended to improve policy adherence. Additionally, sustained and multi-channel public sensitization campaigns, regardless of age or income, are essential to enhance population-wide compliance with the National Population Policy.