Abstract:

Family planning is not a new phenomenon in Tanzania; our ancestors used various traditional methods to space children. In Songea District traditional methods that are recorded included wearing the “hirizi” provided by traditional healers. However modern family planning methods have been available in the country since before 1970s. The government of Tanzania recognizes the importance of family planning to the welfare of its people, but due to limited resources, the program could not start in all regions concurrently.

A descriptive cross sectional study was done between August and September 2011 at Namtumbo health center. 279 women who attended antenatal clinic were interviewed on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding family planning.

The prevalence was 69.9%, generally majority of the study population 269 (96.4%) are aware of contraceptive methods, 195 (69.8%) do practice with the use different contraceptives, injection type 102 (52.3%) being the commonest one and the least is implanon 17 (8.7%).

The study suggests that, though the population is aware of family planning, it is not in actual practice due to inappropriate education regarding contraceptive methods, poor beliefs and there adverse side effects.