1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background information

Worldwide approximately 300,000 women and girls die in childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications, the majority of these death occurs in low- and middle-income countries (1). More than 30% of maternal deaths and 10% of newborn deaths might be prevented with access to family planning, and women in LMICs are typically recommended to space pregnancies out by more than two years (2).

According to the world health organization, almost 60% of women of childbearing age use family planning globally (3) . In Tanzania, according to THDS 2022, 38% of married women are using any contraceptive methods, including 31% of modern methods and 8% of the traditional method. There is still a demand for family planning in the country, 59% of currently married women have a demand for family planning, while 21% of currently married women have an unmet need for family planning (4).

Tanzania’s population is growing at a very high pace (2.7%) which has an impact on socioeconomic development and necessitates increased government funding to address the problem. On average, rural women on the mainland give birth to 5.5 children in their lifetime, compared with urban women on the mainland who give birth to 3.6 children (5) There is still a demand for family planning in the country, 59% of currently married women have a demand for family planning, while 21% of currently married women have an unmet need for family planning (4).

There are numerous options for contraception, all of which are generally very safe in comparison to the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth. A vital component of raising contraceptive coverage, lowering unplanned births, and decreasing maternal morbidity and death globally is expanding the range of family planning alternatives available to women (6).

1.2 Problem Statement

Maternal mortality rate in Tanzania is 524 per 100,000 a 2.78% decline from 2016 (7). Family planning has the ability to lower maternal fatalities and disabilities by postponing motherhood, pacing births, preventing unexplained pregnancies and their consequences and ceasing childbearing once the desired family size is reached (8). Despite the level of awareness of Tanzania women on family planning, only 38% of married women are using any contraceptive methods, including 31% of any modern methods and 8% of the traditional method (4). There a many studies of family planning in Tanzania but little is known among patients attending Bugando Medical Centre. It is crucial to understand the level of awareness of family planning methods among women who attends clinic at Bugando Medical Centre

1.3 Rationale

Findings from this study will help to understand the level of knowledge of family planning among women attending at BMC, findings will also help to understand the gaps in the knowledge, so as to fill it with appropriate awareness campaigns so as to increase the rate of family planning use and decrease overall maternal mortality rate.

1.4 Research Question

What is the level of awareness on the benefit of family planning among women attending clinic at Bugando Medical Centre?

1.5 Research Objectives

1.5.1 Broad objectives

To assess the prevalence and awareness on benefit of family planning among women attending clinic at Bugando Medical Centre

1.5.1 Specific Objectives

1. To assess the level of awareness on benefit of family planning among women attending clinic at Bugando Medical Centre
2. To determine the prevalence of use and methods of contraceptive among women attending clinic at Bugando Medical Centre