Social Networks Correlate to Fertility Intentions and Realization among Menopausal Women in Suburban Areas of Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Publication Date: 24/06/2022
Author(s): Endurance Uzobo (Ph.D), Blessing O. Moroyei.
Volume/Issue: Volume 5 , Issue 2 (2022)
Abstract:
The study examined the roles of social networks in fertility intentions and realization among menopausal women in suburban areas of Bayelsa State. Although studies have previously shown the influence that social networks have on fertility behaviour, their roles on fertility intentions and realization among women before menopause especially in the suburban areas remained unknown. Social network theory provided the theoretical base for this study while a retrospective cross-sectional research was employed for the design. A multistage sampling technique was utilized to distribute 385 copies of structured questionnaires to menopausal women (aged 50+ years). The quantitative data were analysed with the use of descriptive statistics. The average age of the respondents was 52.88±3.20 years. Findings revealed that the social networks available before menopause ranged from relatives (26.4%), neighbours (22.0%), husbands’ relatives (11.1%), religious group members (11.1%), friends (7.5%), co-workers (3.6%) and community heads (3.6%). The highest percentage of social networks that influenced the use of contraceptives before menopause was relatives (33.5%). Also, social networks were significantly related to family planning use (x2=102.41, DF=6, p<0.05). The result also showed that relatives (42.6%) had the highest influence on the number of children intended before menopause, while friends (24.2%) and relatives (23.6%) had the highest proportion of influence on the total number of children that were ever born. In conclusion, different forms of social networks influenced respondents’ fertility behaviour. It is therefore recommended that the use of social networks should be considered a critical factor in designing reproductive health policy among women as an informal mechanism of disseminating reproductive health information.
Keywords:
Social Network, Menopausal Women, Fertility Intentions, Fertility Realization, Suburban Areas.
