CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study Area
This study was conducted in Calabar Municipality, one of the eighteen local government areas
(LGAs) in Cross River State, Nigeria. Calabar Municipality forms part of the Calabar
Metropolis, which also includes Calabar South Local Government Area. It is located in the
southern region of Nigeria, bounded by the Calabar River to the west and Akpabuyo LGA to the
east. The municipality serves as the administrative and political hub of Cross River State, with its
headquarters situated at Effut Town.
Geographically, Calabar Municipality is characterized by a mix of urban and peri-urban
settlements. The area benefits from a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, which
influence public health patterns, particularly reproductive and maternal healthcare utilization.
The LGA is subdivided into twelve political wards, each consisting of various streets, clusters,
and neighborhoods. Prominent communities include Ikot Ishie, Edibe Edibe, Ikot Ansa,
Ekorinim, Big Qua, and Henshaw Town, among others.
In terms of demographics, the municipality is home to a diverse population comprising both
indigenous Efik people and a significant number of migrants from other ethnic groups within and
outside Cross River State. The population is predominantly Christian and includes a wide socio-
economic spectrum, from low-income earners engaged in informal trading and subsistence labor
to middle and upper-class professionals, civil servants, and entrepreneurs. This diversity creates
a rich context for understanding various perspectives and practices regarding family planning.
Calabar Municipality is relatively well-served by healthcare infrastructure, with both public and
private health facilities offering a range of services, including maternal and child health,
reproductive health, and family planning. Key healthcare institutions include the University of
Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), General Hospital Calabar, and numerous Primary Health
Care (PHC) centers spread across the wards. Additionally, several faith-based and NGO-run
clinics complement public services, offering free or subsidized family planning options.
The presence of health advocacy programs and ongoing awareness campaigns—often supported
by organizations such as UNFPA, Marie Stopes International, and the Cross River State Ministry
of Health—makes Calabar Municipality a strategically important setting for family planning
research. However, despite these services, there are still notable gaps in utilization, awareness,
and perception of family planning among certain subgroups of the population, especially among
women with limited education or those in lower-income households.
This area was chosen for the study due to its urban-rural mix, accessibility, concentration of
health facilities, and socio-cultural diversity. These factors allow for a broader understanding of
how different variables—such as education, religion, spousal involvement, and access—shape
the family planning behaviors of married women. Studying Calabar Municipality provides
insights that are relevant not only to urban Nigeria but also to regions with similar socio-
demographic profiles..
3.1 Research Design
This study adopted a community-based cross-sectional survey design. This design is
appropriate for collecting data at a specific point in time to assess the practices, knowledge, and
available options related to family planning among married women in the study area.
3.3 Study Population
The population for this study consisted of married women of reproductive age (15–49 years)
who had lived in Calabar Municipality for at least six months. This group was selected because
they are most directly affected by decisions related to family planning.
3.4 Sample Size Determination (Theoretical, Bullet Format)
The sample size for this study was determined using Fisher’s formula for populations greater
than 10,000. This formula is widely applied in public health research when estimating
proportions in a large population.
2
Z . p.q
Fisher’s Formula: n= 2
d
Where:
n = desired sample size
Z = standard normal deviate at 95% confidence level (1.96)
p = estimated proportion of the population practicing family planning (in absence of local data,
use 50% = 0.5 for maximum variability)
q=1–p
d = margin of error (0.05)
Substitution into the formula:
( 1.96 )2 .0 .5 ( 1−0.5 )
n= 2
( 0.05 )
3.8416 . 0.5 . 0.5
n=
0.0025
0.9604
n= =384.16
0.0025
n ≈ 384
Adjustment for Non-Response Rate:
To account for potential non-response or incomplete questionnaires, a 10% contingency is added:
10% of 384=38.4⇒approx. 38
Totalsamplesize=384+38=422
Final Sample Size:
Hence, the final sample size for this study is 422 married women residing in Calabar Municipality.
3.5 Sampling Technique
A multi-stage sampling technique was employed:
1. Ward Selection:
Five (5) wards in Calabar Municipality were selected through simple random sampling
(balloting).
2. Street/Cluster Selection:
In each selected ward, four streets were chosen using systematic sampling (e.g., every
3rd street on a ward list).
3. Household Selection:
In each street, households were selected using systematic random sampling (e.g., every
2nd or 3rd house).
4. Respondent Selection:
If a household had more than one eligible married woman, one was selected using
balloting. Only one respondent per household was interviewed.
3.6 Instrument for Data Collection
A structured questionnaire was the primary instrument for data collection. It was divided into
sections covering:
Demographic details
Knowledge of family planning
Current and past practices
Available and preferred options
Barriers to accessing family planning services
The questionnaire was reviewed by experts and pretested in a nearby community for clarity and
relevance.
3.7 Validity and Reliability
The instrument was validated by professionals in reproductive health and public health research.
A pilot test was conducted in a different ward not included in the main study. Adjustments were
made based on feedback. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to ensure internal consistency, with
values above 0.70 considered acceptable.
3.8 Method of Data Analysis (Using Excel)
Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel.
Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and mean values were
computed.
Cross-tabulations (e.g., comparing education level and use of family planning methods)
were created using pivot tables.
Visual tools such as bar charts and pie charts were used to present findings clearly.
3.9 Ethical Considerations
Ethical clearance was obtained from the appropriate Health Research Ethics Committee.
Informed consent was sought and obtained from each participant.
Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality and anonymity were strictly observed
