The Assessment of the Role of Traditional Methods of Family Planning Within the Household in Coastal Communities of Tanzania: A Case of Kisiju Ward in Mkurunga District Council
This paper intends to comprehend the assessment of the role of traditional family planning methods in Tanzania’s coastal communities. The study focused on the effectiveness of traditional methods of family planning, the commonly used traditional methods, and the relationship between child spacing a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Utafiti Foundation
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Eastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://utafitionline.com/index.php/eajhss/article/view/1048 |
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| Summary: | This paper intends to comprehend the assessment of the role of traditional family planning methods in Tanzania’s coastal communities. The study focused on the effectiveness of traditional methods of family planning, the commonly used traditional methods, and the relationship between child spacing and traditional methods of family planning within the household. The research was conducted in Kisiju ward, specifically at Kerekese and Kisiju Pwani villages within the Mkuranga district council. Questionnaires were utilised for data collection, along with an in-depth interview guide and a narrative to gather information from key informants such as ward leaders and older women with relevant experience. A total of 133 respondents participated in the survey, consisting of 15 males were male and 118 females. A mixed method approach was employed, whereby quantitative data from the questionnaires were analysed and subjected to statistical tests, primarily chi-square (P≥ 0.05), while qualitative data were coded, and themes were developed. The study’s findings indicate that traditional methods of family planning remain effective as they continue to be used by women in the study area for various purposes including child spacing. Additionally, it was further revealed that the commonly practiced traditional methods encompass withdrawal, tie knot, traditional herbs, tree seeds, sex abstinence, and breastfeeding. Qualitatively, reports suggest that traditional methods are still favoured by women in coastal communities due to their accessibility, and simplicity of use, effectively serving the purpose of child spacing. The findings also no statistical differences regarding gender, education level, religion, and occupation concerning the role of traditional family planning methods in these communities. The use of traditional family planning methods in these communities has historical roots and has persisted despite the introduction of modern family planning methods. Furthermore, findings suggest that, traditional family planning methods enable child spacing, being continuously employed by women of childbearing age in light of modern family planning options. The study further recommends exercising caution in the use of traditional family planning methods to minimize potential side effects among users. Additionally, it advises healthcare workers to consider couples’ preferences, cultural beliefs, awareness, and the cultural context when selecting traditional family planning methods.
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| ISSN: | 2958-4558 |