ASSESSING FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES

AMONG GENERIC STUDENTS AT KAMUZU UNIVERSITIY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,

LILONGWE CAMPUS

BY

HASTINGS J. MWALE BScNM/UP/20/39

GRIEF JEFTA BScNM/UP/20/13
EVELYN KWIYANI BScNM/UP/20/23
JUDITH JIMU BScNM/UP/20/16

RESEARCH PROPOSAL PRESENTED TO FUCULTY OF NURSING AND MIDWIFELY IN

PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF BANCHELORS OF SCIENCE IN NURSING AND
MIDWIFELY

SUPERVISOR: MR. A. SIMWAKA

26TH JULY, 2022

 DECLARETION
We declare that this research proposal is completely a result of our investigation and it has not
been submitted for any other degree program.

NAME SIGNATURE DATE

Hastings J. Mwale ___________________ __________________

Grief Jefta ___________________ ___________________

Evelyn Kwiyani ___________________ ___________________

Judith Jimu ___________________ ___________________

SUPERVISOR

Mr. A. Simwaka __________________ __________________

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 ACKNOLEDGEMENT
We would like to thank the Almighty God for the wisdom, skills, guidance and keeping us health
throughout the period we have been writing this proposal. Without his endless love, we wouldn’t
have managed to write it.

Our heartfelt gratitude should go to Mr. Simwaka lecture in applied science department at
Kamuzu University of Health sciences school of nursing for his time of supervision and guidance
throughout the time of the proposal writing. His time and kindness have really helped us.

Lastly we are also expressing our appreciation to our guardians and fellow students for their
continuous support, encouragements and understanding.

ii
 ABSTRACT
Family planning service are preventive health services that provides quality, low cost and easily
accessible reproductive health care to women and men during their reproductive age. Utilization
of family planning services among university students at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Lilongwe campus (school of nursing) continues to decrease despite having the contraceptives
within the campus clinic. This study aims at assessing factors affecting the utilization of family
planning services among these students. The study will employ quantitative research design
where by simple random sampling will be used and a total of 85 participants will be recruited.
The information will be collected from the recruited participants using a semi-structure
questionnaire.

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARETION...............................................................................................................................................i
ACKNOLEDGEMENT.....................................................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................................................iv
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND.........................................................................................................................................2
RESEARCH TOPIC.....................................................................................................................................4
PROBLEM STATEMENT............................................................................................................................4
MAIN OBJECTIVE.....................................................................................................................................5
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES...............................................................................................................................5
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY..................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................................6
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................................6
Knowledge on family planning services...............................................................................................6
Perception of student towards family planning...................................................................................7
Availability of family planning services................................................................................................9
CHAPTER THREE........................................................................................................................................11
METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................................................11
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................11
Research design.................................................................................................................................11
Study setting......................................................................................................................................11
Study population...............................................................................................................................11
Sample size........................................................................................................................................11
Recruitment criteria...........................................................................................................................12
Exclusion criteria................................................................................................................................12
Data collection method and procedure.............................................................................................13
Data analysis......................................................................................................................................13
Ethical considerations........................................................................................................................13

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 Dissemination of results....................................................................................................................14
Limitation of the study......................................................................................................................14
Research plan....................................................................................................................................15
Research budget................................................................................................................................16
REFERENCE................................................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX 1: QUESTONNAIRE....................................................................................................................21
APPENDIX 2: REQUEST TO CONDUCT RESEARCH STUDY...........................................................................27
APPENDEX 3: LETTER OF PERMISSION.......................................................................................................29
APPENDIX 4: CONSENT FORM..................................................................................................................30

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 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

Family planning services are defined as education, comprehensive medical or social activities
which enable individuals including students to determine freely the number and spacing of
children and select the means by which this may be achieved. The rate of utilization of family
planning methods among students at institution of higher education continues to decrease
annually despite the awareness and availability of contraceptives to the general population
(Gbagbo & Nkrumah, 2019). According to family planning register we have seen, it shows that
only 4% of generic student are utilizing family planning contraceptives at Kamuzu University of
Health Sciences School of nursing (Lilongwe campus). This means that 96% of these students
are at risk of getting pregnancy considering that all are sexually active. Since, a majority of
undergraduate students at higher educational institutions are sexually active, it is important that
they have access to safe, accessible and adequate contraceptive services. However, little is
known about contraceptive usage among students in Malawian universities and colleges. This
study therefore aims at assessing what affect generic students in utilisation of family planning
services at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Lilongwe campus.

1
BACKGROUND

University students are the most vulnerable group for unplanned pregnancies due to their risk
behaviors of engaging themselves in sexual activities with the sense that they are not vulnerable.
Global estimates have shown that about 210 million pregnancies occur annually across the
world. About 36% are unplanned or unwanted pregnancies (Singh et al., 2010). Students
between 18 and 24 years report highest rates of unplanned pregnancies in the worlds’ tertiary
institutions (Trieu et al., 2011). These results show that there is lack of utilization of family
planning services among sexually active university students.The above situations are as a result
of unsafe sexual activities that can be prevented by sexual education, availability of Family
Planning services and inadequate knowledge on family planning.

In many countries, a lot of programmes have been introduced in order to prevent unplanned
pregnancies, unsafe births, unsafe abortions and even sexually transmitted infections among the
youths. The programs include sexual education, inclusion of reproductive health issues in school
curriculum and the provision of family planning services for free in health facilities.

Despite the measures that have been put in place, the youths continue to face a lot of challenges
in their sexual and reproductive health regardless the progress achieved since the1994
International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). During this conference
meeting it was identified that, adolescent, sexual and reproductive issues are addressed through
the promotion of responsible and healthy reproductive sexual behavior, including voluntary
abstinence and the provision of appropriate services and counselling specifically suitable for that
age group (Biddlecom et al., 2007).

In Africa, the youths still face challenges regarding their sexual and reproductive health. For
instance, in Tanzania, Godia (2011) observed that the country’s high maternal mortality ratio is a
result of the youth’s sexuality. This is so because there is low usage of contraceptives among the
youth, high incidence of illegal abortion and lack of sexual education from parents and teachers.
In South Africa the youths are discouraged from using youth friendly services that include
Family Planning services because of inconvenient hours, unfriendly working staff and even lack
of privacy (Hoque & Ghuman, 2012). Ahmed et al., (2012) documented that there are several
factors that affect utilization of family planning services. Age, culture, ethnicity and religion,

2
poor access to contraceptive services, peer pressure and lack of partner support were identified as
contributing to the non-utilization of contraceptives in tertiary institutions.

In Malawi, initial attempt to introduce family planning services were in the early 1960’s, the
programme was banned in the late 1960’s due to public misconceptions about its intent. In 1982,
the government approved and established the national child spacing programme following nearly
two decades of dialogue on the need to revive the family planning programme (Chimbwete et al.,
2012). Since then, There has been an increase in the number of institution that provides family
planning services that include government hospitals, private sectors and nongovernmental
organizations(NGOs) like Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM) and FPAM just to mention a few. Despite
the advocacy urging the use of family planning services, Malawi’s total fertility rate still remains
high at 4.4% births per woman. It has also been estimated that about 25% of the total demand
for contraception in Malawi remains unmet and approximately 22% of pregnancies are
unwanted, of which most of these are from university students. (Malawi Demographic and
Health Survey 2015-16 MDHS). This could be because sexually issues are not freely discussed
at home and premarital sex is not allowed hence young people do not see the need to utilize the
available family planning services despite being sexually active.

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RESEARCH TOPIC
Assessing factor affecting utilization of family planning services among generic students at
Kamuzu College of Nursing, Lilongwe campus.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Family planning is one of essential health services which contribute to reduction of maternal
death among women of child bearing age. Promoting utilization of family planning among
women and female students is very important as it reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancy which
can lead to unsafe abortions. Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN), Lilongwe campus now called
Kamuzu University of health Sciences has been experiencing a challenge of low utilization of
family planning services. To curb this, the college introduced the provision of family planning
services to students who voluntarily need them within the campus clinic. Despite this, very few
are accessing these family planning services. According to the family planning provider at school
clinic, most students who are already married are the ones using contraceptives, and family
planning register which is at the clinic shows that from September 2021 to March, 2022, only 24
students used family planning methods. This represent 4% of students. The home sister also
reported that on average 6% of female students get pregnant every year. This problem needs to
be addressed, failing which, there will be underutilization of family planning services which will
contribute to unplanned pregnancies which can lead to unsafe abortion. Therefore there is need
to increase awareness on the importance of family planning services utilization among the
university students

4
MAIN OBJECTIVE
To assess factors affecting utilization of family planning services among generic students at
Kamuzu College of Nursing, Lilongwe campus.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
 To examine the students’ knowledge on family planning services
 To assess the students’ perception and attitudes towards family planning services
 To investigate the availability of family planning methods

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will help in reduction of unwanted pregnancies since more students will have adequate
information on the availability of family planning methods and where to get them

The study will also likely provide insight on the university students’ sexuality and therefore
informative to the design of dual protection of unwanted pregnancies and programs for HIV
prevention among youths.

The study will likely provide what level of knowledge on family planning services the youths
have in order for the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to decide when is it
necessary to include the contraceptive issues in the school curriculum so that the young ones
should be growing while fully equipped with issues of family planning.

The study will likely provide a clear picture of why there is resistance of using contraceptives
among the youth than married people and help the ministry of health to find proper ways of
addressing the issues concerning family planning services among the youth.

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 CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Knowledge on family planning services
Having knowledge of family planning services is taken as the first step in stimulating the desire
to use the services. Assessing knowledge of Family Planning services does not only determine
the level of awareness and sensitivity but further provides the background of how services have
been used and evaluated.

Family planning services are there to improve reproductive health and therefore they have
benefits and positive effects on wellbeing of women and youths. To attain positive effects,
women and youth needs to be aware and have knowledge on FP services. This can make them
choose the correct method on their own.

Knowledge of contraceptives, access to the means of fertility regulation and communication

among the youth and university students on desired time when to have first child is also essential
for effective family planning. Lack of knowledge among university student is one of the
contributing factor of unwanted pregnancy. According to the study conducted by Abdul-Zahra et
al., (2016), on knowledge of university students about family planning program in Iraq, showed
that most student are not familiar with family planning services. The results indicated that only
25.3% of students were familiar with the term family planning. It was also found that the quality
of knowledge among these student was very poor because Out of 25.3%only 1.9% had good
knowledge on family planning methods.

A study about knowledge of contraceptive among youth including university students regardless
of their HIV status by Ahmed et al., (2012) in Ethiopia, showed that many female university
students have knowledge on condoms only than the other family planning contraceptive
methods. However in sub-Saharan African countries, research has shown that knowledge of
Family Planning services remain the major challenges among the youth. For instance a study
conducted by Okonofua, (2014), in four sub-Sahara African countries reported that 60% of youth
had no knowledge about prevention of unwanted pregnancy and Human Immunodeficiency
Virus. One third did not know where to get Family Planning contraceptive. As a result most
youth do not utilize the family planning methods. This could be because sexuality issues are not

6
freely discussed at home and premarital sex is not allowed hence young do not see the need to
utilize the available FP services despite being sexually active. This is supported by Tajure,
(2011), study findings in Southwest Ethiopia at Jimma University which reported that only
41.9% of students had knowledge about emergency contraceptive pills and out of this only 6.8%
have correct knowledge of when to use them. Most student heard the information through
friends, radios and televisions

A research by Ananga et al., (2017) in Ghana which was on knowledge, acceptance and the
utilization of female condom among reproductive women in Ghana found that, there was low
level of family planning (female condoms) use among women of child bearing age which include
female university students as less as 48.4%, and most of them reported friends and lectures to be
their source of knowledge on Female Condoms. This shows that most times there is lack of
communication between the maker and end users on the awareness of the condoms and how to
use, which negatively affects utilization. From this research it was concluded that there is low
level of awareness, knowledge and acceptance, therefore, there is need to increase public
education on family planning including female condoms which can help in increasing utilization
of family planning services.

Lack of knowledge also remains the major barrier that affects the decision making on the use of
contraceptive among the adolescent and youth in Malawi. For instance a study conducted by
Dombola et al., (2021), in Lilongwe urban, showed that most adolescent do not have
comprehensive information on family planning contraceptive methods. This could be because
health providers do not give full information of the contraceptives such as unable to explain how
modern Family Planning methods work and their side effects.

Perception of student towards family planning

Family planning and contraceptives is the effective strategy to reduce increase in unwanted
pregnancies and abortions among women and university female students inclusive. In order for
the students to utilize family planning effectively, there is a need for them to have good
perception towards family planning.

Globally there is negative perception on the use of family planning services among male
students, most of them believe that it is a responsibility of females to use contraceptives. A study
done by Asut et al., (2018), showed that regarding the responsibility of two genders on family

7
planning, 17.1% of the male participants and 17. 0% of female student participant stated that
family planning is essentially women’s responsibility, whereas 70.7% of males and 76.6% of
female responded on the contrary, that family planning is not primarily women’s responsibility.
There was no significant difference between genders regarding the ideas of assigning prima rily
for family planning.

Negative perception regarding contraceptive use among student in public universities still
remains a worrisome. This is in line with the study done by Fatimah S et al., (2019) on various
universities in Malaysia on Knowledge, Awareness and Perception of contraceptive among
students in public universities. The study showed that more half of the students had poor
perception since 86% of the participants believed that contraceptive use is for women and those
who are married. This contributed to low uptake of family planning methods. The study
concluded by suggesting the need for mobilization and active involvement of physicians and
health care providers in providing contraception information to university students. It indicates
the needs of youth friendly intervention towards disseminating specific contraceptive
information and education that is culturally sensitive including building skills for negotiating
safer sexual behavior as known from other studies that claimed that cultural factors are critical
barriers to contraceptive use among young females.

In Africa, perception still remains a worrisome issue on family planning use among university
students, as most students have negative perception towards the use of Family Planning. This has
been shown in a study, conducted in Ghana done by Appiah-Agyekum & Kayi, (2013) on
university students’ perceptions on contraceptives. It showed that participant (students) had bad
attitude towards unmarried contraceptive uses.

In a study conducted in Ethiopia by Ahmed et al, (2012), several factors including age, culture,
ethnicity and religion, poor access to contraceptive services, peer pressure and lack of partner
support were identified as contributing to the non-utilisation of contraceptives in tertiary
institutions. Furthermore, according to a study by Gbagbo and Nkrumah, (2019) in-availability,
accessibility and preference influence usage. In addition, this could also be because sexuality
issues are not freely discussed at home and premarital sex is not allowed hence young people do
not perceive the use of available Family Planning services as of importance despite being
sexually active.

8
A study by Self et al., (2018) in Malawi specifically in Dowa, Machinga and Phalombe on youth
accessing reproductive health services, showed that negative attitude remains the major barrier
hindering the use of contraceptives among the youth. Most of them have misconceptions on
family planning methods. In this study, all participants expressed negative opinion towards the
youth using Family Planning services and parents remain the cause as they could prevent the
youth from accessing the services. However the majority of the youth said parents provide
Family Planning support and information especially around abstinence. The study targeted the
youth in general in which students are included.

Availability of family planning services

Low availability of contraceptives has shown to be one of the barriers in utilization of family
planning services among university students in America. According to the study by Frost et al.,
(2019) in various universities in America, results showed that 70% of students had knowledge
and awareness of contraceptives but they did not know where to get them as most colleges were
not providing the services. This study also showed that most hospitals which were providing the
services were not providing them for free as a result most students could not have access to the
services due to financial problems.

In Africa the low availability of contraceptives still remain a challenge. For instance the findings
of the study conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo by Mpunga et al., (2017), found that
availability of contraceptives was great in tertiary hospitals and none of the universities were
offering the service. Among these hospitals, only 14% had at least 3 types of methods and the
most widely available methods were male condoms, combined oral contraceptives, and
progestin-only injectable contraceptives; representing 8% of the available family planning
methods. This hinders the clients from choosing the method of their choice and this can make
some not to be using the family planning methods. This is in line with findings from a study by
(Ali et al., 2018), in 10 countries namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Djibouti, Mauritania, Niger , Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda, whereby they surveyed the
availability of some methods like oral contraceptives, injectable and condoms. The overall
results indicated that many countries had high availability of one contraceptive method only
which can make some clients to not access the method of their choice, ending up having an
unmet needs for family planning services. The other thing is that stock out and logistics

9
management were common among the countries, so this makes it difficult for end-users to access
appropriate services.

Malawi has a lot of universities and each has its own clinic which provides health services to its
students and people surrounding the campus premises but for a certain fee. In addition to that,
not all contraceptives are available at school campuses; only condoms, emergency pills and
depot Provera, yet, not all students can choose these methods. This is evidenced by the study
done by (Chimatiro et al., 2022) in Phalombe district, on school going adolescent and views of
family planning services which showed that there is low availability of family planning services
in schools, only as condoms were available in schools and that the services were not provided by
health workers. Like at former Kamuzu Collage of Nursing, family planning services are being
offered by the Lectures of community nursing department the campus. This has a negative
impact since students cannot comfortably access the services in fear of being judged and
stigmatized

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 CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter describes the method that will be used to explore factors that affect utilization of
family planning services that include study design, the study population, study site, sample, data
collection method, research instrument, validity and reliability, data analysis, ethical
considerations and dissemination of results among Kamuzu University of Health Science
students.

Research design
Research study design is a framework, or the set of methods and procedures used to collect and
analyse data on variables specified in a particular study. It has the overall plan for answering
research questions. This study will employ quantitative research design. This is so because
quantitative design helps in collection of data in large quantities and facilitates establishment of
the association of variables in an objective manner

Study setting
The study will be conducted at Kamuzu University of health sciences formerly called Kamuzu
College of Nursing which is located in area 33 in Lilongwe city near Kamuzu Central Hospital.
It has a population of 600 of which most students are aged 17 – 30 and are more sexually active.
Our study will target the generic students only

Study population
The researcher will seek a sample of Kamuzu University of Health services students aged 17 to
30 years who are not married, sexually active or not and are using or not using any family
planning method. Participants will be recruited through direct contact and interview.

Sample size
Random sampling will be used, this is a probability sampling where by participants will be given
equal chance of being selected. To come up with sample size, we will use taro yamen formula
N
which is; n = 2
where n = sample size, N = population size which is 600 and e =
1+ N (e )
acceptable sampling error at 10%.

11
 N
Sample size calculation: n= 2
1+ N (e )

600
n= 2
1+ 600(0.1 )

600
n=
1+ 600(0.01)

600
n=
1+ 6

600
n=
7

n = 85.714285714285

n = 86 (to the nearest whole number)

Therefore the sample size will be 86

Recruitment criteria
Generic students from Kamuzu University of Health Science who are 17 to 30 years, not
married, in a sexual relationship or not, are using any family planning service or not. These will
we be selected randomly. Simple random and then proceed with selection of K th element. In this
case, K th will be calculated as follows:

K = population ¿ ¿ sample ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
th

600
K th =
86

th
K = 6.976744186046511
th
K =7

Then students will be assembled in the hall through the student union president, where each
student will be asked to pick a number from the box, those who will pick 7th numbers such as 7,
14, 21…… will be asked to participate in the research. Then numbers will be from 1 to 600.

12
Exclusion criteria
Kamuzu University of health sciences who are married and those who are above 30 years old,
those that are selected under mature entry program, post-basic and upgrading students

Data collection method and procedure

Data will be collected by the researcher using a questionnaire which will contain close ended
questions. This will allow participants to fully explain and express their feelings on factors
affecting utilization of family planning services. The interview guide which will be developed by
the researcher will contain four sections; the first section will be the demographic data, the
second section will contain questions that will provide information on the knowledge the
students have on family planning services, the third section will contain the questions that will
provide information on perception and attitudes students have towards family planning and the
last section will contain the questions that will provide information on availability of family
planning services at the campus. Using this tool, the participants will be given a questionnaire to
respond to the questions on it.

Data analysis
In this study quantitative content analysis will be used to analyze the data. Quantitative analysis
is a technique that uses mathematical and statistical modeling, measurement and research to
understand behavior (Cárdenas, 2019). A semi structured questionnaires will be given to the
participants to answer the questions on it and then they will be analyzed, then the summaries of
emerging issues will be documented presented in tables. No material should be excluded or
added.

Ethical considerations
The permission to conduct the study will be sought from concerned authorities thus the clearance
letters will be written to the university registrar and research committee for KCN to allow us to
conduct the research study at the campus. There will be respect for autonomy, confidentiality,
beneficence and consent during the period of study.

Beneficence; it simply means to do no harm. The researcher will ensure that there will be no
risks and harm to the participants associated with research.

Informed consent; The participants will be told what the research is all about, what is expected of
a research participant, the fact that participation is voluntary and that can withdraw anytime they

13
wish before the signing of an informed consent. Confidentiality; participants’ confidentiality will
be highly respected in that subjects will be told that everything that will be discussed will be only
restricted to the researcher and to the supervisor. Participants will be assured that their names
will be withheld for privacy purpose. Autonomy; all participants will be approached with respect
and honour. Relevant and accurate information will be provided about the research study.
Participants will be told that they are free to withdraw anytime they feel like doing so.

Dissemination of results
The copy of this study will be made available to the nursing and midwifery department and at the
Kamuzu University of Health Science library.

Limitation of the study

The study will involve a small sample that may not clearly represent all the students and
therefore the results will only be limited to those students who will participate in the study. The
study period will be short to conduct such quantitative study so time also will be a limitation.

14
ACTIVITIES APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT SEP NOV

Proposal writing
and submission

Data collection

Data analysis

Report writing

Dissemination of
results

Research plan

15
Research budget
ITEMS AMOUNT

STATIONARY

Rim of plain papers 2 @ k8000each K16000.00

Ball pens 5 @ k500 each K 2500.00

Subtotal K 18500.00

COMMUNICATION
Airtel airtime for internet K10000.00

Subtotal K10000.00

SECRETARIAL
Printing proposal 30 pages @ k100.00 per K3000.00
page
Binding 3 copies of proposal @ 400.00 each K1200.00
Printing Interview questions guide 3 pages
@ 100 each K300.00
Photocopying interview questions guide 25
pages @ k120.00 each K3000.00
Subtotal K7500.00

Grand total K36000.00

16
JUSTIFICATION OF BUDGET

There are a number of expenses that have been highlighted in the budget, these include
stationary, secretarial services, transport, communication and contingency. The proposed budget
is therefore meant to cover these costs.

Stationary

Before coming up with a final typed copy for the research proposal, questionnaire and
dissertation, drafts of these will be sketched first. Drafting work is not a onetime process. It goes
on to be repeated until when our supervisor is confident that the work is perfect. As such,
adequate supply of stationery such as papers, pens, pencils, rubber, sharpener, and tippex will be
needed.

Secretarial

Money will be required for printing and binding services of the research proposal and the
dissertation. The interview guide will also be needed to be photocopied and all this will need
money.

Communication

The airtime will be used for searching of information on internet that will help in the preparation
of the final research report. The supervisor’s directives and the recommendations during the
study will be of great importance hence the need for ongoing contact and communication
between the researcher and the supervisor.

17
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knowledge, attitude, and practice of emergency contraception: A cross- sectional study
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adolescent girls’ preferences and views of family planning services in Phalombe district,
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 APPENDIX 1: QUESTONNAIRE
Demographic data

Age

Sex

Religion

Marital status

Year of study

Sexual relationship

Have you ever been in sexual relationship?

If yes have you ever been involved in sexual intercourse

If yes was it protected or unprotected

If unprotected, explain why

Knowledge on family planning

Have you ever heard about family planning? Yes No

If yes, where did you get the information? Media

Health personnel

Friends

Parents

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What is the recommended age for family planning? 15 -20 years

20 -30 years

15 – 45years

¿ 30 Years

Do you know the following methods? Natural methods yes no

Condoms yes no

Intrauterine device yes no

Implants yes no

Pills yes no

Depo yes no

Permanent yes no

Do you think family planning is important Yes no

Have you ever used any family planning methods? Yes no

If yes, what was the purpose of using it? To avoid unwanted pregnancy

To improve health status

To avoid sexual transmitted infections

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Perception

Are you aware of family planning? Yes No

Do you believe in family planning? Yes No

Do you believe in modern contraceptives for family planning? Yes No

If yes what methods do you prefer?

If no what other method do you prefer?

What are your reasons for not believing in modern contraception?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever used any family planning service before yes No

If no, why? Younger

Discouraged by parents/ relatives

My religion

Don’t know where to get

Tribe

If yes;

I. Which method? Natural

Intrauterine device
Implants
Depo
Pills
Condom

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 II. Did you choose the method yourself? Yes No

III. If no, who chose the method for you? _________________________________________

IV. Was the family planning counselling done before getting the method? Yes No
V. Did the place provide privacy? Yes No

VI. How was the perception of the provider towards you? Very good
Good
Not good

VII. Are you still using the method? Yes No

VIII. If no, why? Because of; side effects

Distance
Providers’ attitudes
Expensive

IX. If yes how do you perceive the method?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

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Availability of family planning

Have you ever used any family planning contraceptives? Yes no

If no, are you willing to use family planning contraceptive? Yes No

Do you have access to family planning contraceptive? Yes No

Do you know where to get the family planning services? Yes No

If yes, where are they found? ______________________________________________________

Have you ever been oriented on the availability of Family Planning contraceptives? Yes
No

If yes, when were you oriented? At First year

At Second year

At Third year

At Fourth year

What methods are always available? Intrauterine device

Implant

Depo provera

Pills

Condoms

Who provide the family planning services? __________________________________________

What time are the services provided? Daily

Once in a week

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 Weekends only

Monday to Friday

Is the time convenient to you? Yes No

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APPENDIX 2: REQUEST TO CONDUCT RESEARCH STUDY
FROM; Hastings Mwale Grief Jefta, Evelyn Kwiyani and Judith Jimu,

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Private Bag 1,

Lilongwe

To: The Registrar

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Lilongwe Upper Campus

Private Bag 1

Lilongwe

Dear Sir,

REQUESTING TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON ASSESSING FACTORS AFFECTING

UTILISATION OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES AMONG KUHES GENERIC
STUDENTS

We are third year student at Kamuzu University of Health ciences pursuing Bachelors of Science
in nursing and midwifery. As a requirement we are expected to conduct a research in any area of
interest in partial fulfilment of the degree program.

As such, we hear by humbly ask your office to give us a permission to conduct a research study
at Kamuzu University of Health science, Lilongwe upper Campus. The aim of this study is to
explore factors affecting utilization of family planning service among the generic students
Kamuzu University of Healthy Science (school of nursing). The study will help family planning
coordinator to know how to handle these students in provision of family planning services

The study will take place between the months of August to October 2022

We looking forward to your favorable consideration

Yours sincere

27
Hastings Mwale, Grief Jefta, Evelyn Kwiyani and Judith Jimu.

28
APPENDEX 3: LETTER OF PERMISSION

29
 APPENDIX 4: CONSENT FORM
Good morning / good afternoon, our names are Hastings Mwale, Grief Jefta, Evelyn Kwiyani
and Judith Jimu third year students from Kamuzu College of Health Science Lilongwe Upper
Campus, we are doing a Bachelor of Science in nursing and midwifery course. In partial
fulfilment of this course we are supposed to do a research, our topic of interest is to assess
factors affecting utilization of family planning services among Kamuzu University of Health
Sciences students.

You are therefore requested to participate in the study, but failure to do so will not be a crime.
You will be interviewed by the researcher. You are also free to withdraw from the study at any
point you wish. Be assured that the information you will give, will be confidential, no one will
have access to it, except the researcher and the supervisor. To achieve this confidentiality, you
will not be asked to give any identifying details.

Approval for the study have been sought from the Kamuzu university of Health Sciences
Research committee. Your participation in the study will not bring you any kind of suffering.

The results will help the family planning coordinator of Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
to know how to provide Family Planning services to the students especially the generic so that
utilization of these Family Planning services should increase. The study will also help the
students to know where they can get information of family planning services and to understand
the importance of using Family Planning services. Your participation in this study will be greatly
appreciated.

If you are interested to participate in the study sign in the space provided below.

To be completed by the participant

I have understood the information provided above and I freely give consent to take part in the
study as a subject in this research study.

Signed…………………………………………………………. date……………………

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To be filled by the researcher

Researchers name………………………………. date……………………

Researcher signature……………………………….

NB

If you have questions or need more information on this study, contact the researcher on
0991429249, 088119956, 0888605910, 0888180650 and the supervisor on 0888854683. You can
also write the researcher on this address: Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 1,
Lilongwe.

31