REVIEW OF LITERATURE This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. It aims at examining studies, publications made by different scholars in the past which formed textbooks, journals, magazines, unpublished project (research) works. For the purpose of carrying out effective review of literature on the topic; the researchers organized the review into the following sub-headings: i. The concept of family planning ii. Methods of family planning iii. Importance of family planning iv. Factors militating against family planning.

The concept of family planning Family planning, also called conception control (Nnubia, 1999) is a method of controlling the number of children per couple. The concept on a lay man’s idea is planning the number of children one will have and the intervals between the births in the family by using both control or any method used to prevent the birth of a child. In this opinion Lucas (1968) sees family planning as the activity that enables every family to have as many children as they desire and when they want them. In his view this implies educating and encouraging couples to space or limit the number of children and thereby ensure optimal family health. Still on the concept, Ojo and Briggs (1982) states that family planning implies a situation where fertile couples space out their children and have the number of children they want and at the time they desire them. In the opinion of Suleiman (1992) family planning is a way by which individual couples and families exercise their basic right in family formation to improve their lives, health and life expectancy.

Looking at family planning as a factor in controlling world population, the world health organization (WHO, 1971) sees family planning as:

A way of thinking and living that is adopted. Voluntarily upon the basis of knowledge, attitudes and responsible decision by individuals and couples in order to promote the health and welfare of the family group, and this contributes effectively to the social development of the country. Family Planning Campaign