Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May, 2009, to
assess the family size preference and associated factors in Ginjo-Guduru
kebele, Jimma town.
Data was collected using a questionnaire addressed to couples. A total of
99 Couple respondents participated in the study, systematic sampling
method was method was employed for sampling and 1st household was
selected randomly and the other selected with fixed interval.
Analysis of the study result revealed that the average number of living
children for couples were 3.8. The desire to have more children for
husbands and wives on average were 2.2 and 2, respectively; this show
that there is high degree of correlation between the couples desire. While
the average desired family size were 5.7 for husbands and 5.4 for wives.
The primary reason of desire more children was reported to be to get help
at old age. The association between family size preference and religious
difference and income variation were less significant, in other ways
literacy level and economic activities were the most prominent factors. Of
reproductive age group only 39.4% were using family planning method.
The reason for not using contraceptive were primary to have more
children.
Finally, increasing awareness on the contraceptive usage, motivating
couples to have fewer children, increasing adult education in school to
significant level and a need to do comprehensive studies to identify areas
of resistance to family planning are strongly recommended.
