Family Planning Services Digitalization: Implications to Nursing (Published)
This research examines the changing nature of family planning services in Nigeria, investigating the complex interaction between traditional practices, cultural influences, and the continuous integration of digital technologies. Although there has been notable improvement, the availability and use of family planning services continue to encounter ongoing obstacles that are deeply founded in cultural attitudes and structural shortcomings within the healthcare infrastructure. Historically, family planning in Nigeria has mostly depended on traditional practices and cultural beliefs, which have impeded the widespread use of contemporary contraceptive technologies. The intricate interplay of cultural elements leads to a significant percentage of the population being deprived of a wide array of family planning options. The issues are worsened by the healthcare system, which is characterised by limited resources and geographical inequality. The use of digital technology into family planning services offers a revolutionary chance for change. Contraception monitoring applications, wearable gadgets, and telemedicine provide novel methods to improve the accessibility, accuracy, and effectiveness of reproductive healthcare. The research highlights the significance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in customising preventative interventions. Nevertheless, the implementation of digital family planning services presents obstacles such as privacy issues and the need for fair technology availability. The objective of this research is to conduct a thorough analysis of the intricacies related to digitalization, while considering both the advantages and disadvantages. The future of family planning services in Nigeria hinges upon not only technology advancements, but also on cooperative endeavours, cultural awareness, and meticulous strategizing. This article explores the ramifications of digitalization on nursing practice, education, and administration, with a particular focus on the crucial role that nurses play in adapting to this transformational environment. This research provides significant insights to facilitate the successful incorporation of digital technology into family planning services, with the aim of creating a more accessible, patient-centered, and technologically advanced reproductive healthcare system in Nigeria.
Keywords: : digitalization, Implications, family planning services, nursing practice
Assessment of Availability and Quality of Family Planning Services in Private Health Facilities in Plateau State, Nigeria (Published)
Worldwide, there are inequitable differences in both the availability and quality of family planning services provided in different geographical regions of the world. In Nigeria’s 2018 Demographic Health Survey, only 10.5% of women use a modern contraceptive method with 40.8% of users sourcing them from private sector providers. Despite the complementary role played by the private health facilities, women do not access and use family planning methods adequately. This study assessed the availability and quality of family planning services provided by private health facilities (PHFs) in Plateau state Nigeria. The study was a facility based cross-sectional study of private health facilities across the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau state. A checklist questionnaire adapted from a combination of similar researches was used to capture details on availability and the quality of family planning services rendered by these private health facilities. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Three hundred and fifty-six (356) private health facilities were covered in this study, the availability of family planning (FP) in Plateau state PHFs was found to be adequate in 75.3% of the facilities. The quality of family planning services was assessed, majority (59.6%) of the private health facilities has high quality. However, this does not go hand-in-hand with the availability of the same services. Reason for this was due to the differences in location, staff strength, different support given to facilities and the training of staff of the PHFs in the provision of family planning. Only 59% of these facilities were able to score above 13.5 on quality score and thereby considered as having high quality. There is need for more private health facilities inclusion in all forms of manpower development in family planning by government and other partners; this is to help improve the quality of family planning services in the private health sector of the state and country at large.
Citation: Tuamlong T A., Chirdan O., Gaknung B.K, Onyejekwe, G. I., Oyedele E.A. (2023) Assessment of Availability and Quality of Family Planning Services in Private Health Facilities in Plateau State, Nigeria, International Journal of Public Health, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Vol. 8, No.1, pp.1-17
Keywords: Availability, Quality, family planning services, private health facilities