Covenant Journal of Communication: VOL. 11 NO. 2, DECEMBER 2024 Authhor: Audu Liberty Oseni & Omale Gloria Eneh
Abstract
State and non-state actors continue to face challenges in effectively communicating family planning in a way that will enhance understanding, rather than its acceptance, making good practices difficult among men and women. The study objective was to examine the impact of participatory communication on family planning knowledge and practice among men and women in Abaji Central Ward community, Abuja, Nigeria. The study was hinged on participatory communication theory while Focused Group Discussion and Key Informant Interviews were the methods from a population of 127,900. Findings showed that participatory communication facilitates a full understanding of family planning practices among women and men. The study established that participatory communication empowers women and men by enhancing their knowledge and attitude making them accept family planning practice. The study concluded that participatory communication significantly impacts men’s and women’s understanding of family planning practices. It facilitates a process that enables men and women to be actively involved in a sincere dialogue on family planning practices through a communication process. The study recommended that family planning and other health interventions such as immunisation by the state and non-state actors should deploy and prioritise a participatory communication approaches to achieve success and sustainability.
Keywords: Communication, Family Planning, Health, Participatory, Practices, Women