Social Capital and Contraceptive Use among Rural Dwellers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the relationship between social capital and contraceptive use among rural dwellers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data obtained from one hundred and sixty rural dwellers, using multi-stage sampling procedure, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results show that 51.3% of the respondents, with an average age of 40 years, were females and 71.3% were married. Majority of the respondents (96.2%) had formal education with an average monthly income of N28,900.50. Results also reveal that a high level of social capital exists among 56.9% of the respondents; and that the most utilized contraceptive methods by the rural dwellers were barrier methods, hormonal contraceptives and abstinence. A simple linear regression shows that social capital positively influences contraceptive use by rural dwellers in the study area. Hence, social capital should be taken cognizance of by policy makers in the study area when formulating policies aimed at controlling the rural populace via contraceptive use.