Development of a training programme for professional nurses to promote the use of postpartum family planning in Epe local government area, Lagos state, Nigeria

Abstract

Postpartum family planning (PPFP) is the initiation of family planning methods among postpartum women, within 12 months after delivery. During this period, the women are a vulnerable group of people with high unmet need for family planning. They are exposed to the risks of unwanted pregnancy, which potentially, could increase maternal mortality, due to the consequences of too frequent pregnancies. Studies have revealed a consistent low use of family planning during the postpartum period. Additionally, it has been documented that the low use of postpartum family planning, most likely, was attributed to inadequate services that had been rendered at healthcare centres, as well as poor motivation by those providing family planning services. A training programme for nurses, to improve health services, was identified as the most appropriate for quality healthcare services, to influence the behavioural skill and good decision making of the PP women, regarding the use of PPFP.