| Title: THE INFLUENCE OF HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE CHILD-SPACING METHODS ON FAMILY PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLBEING IN THE BONASSAMA HEALTH DISTRICT |
| Authors: Martha Njomoh Efon Udobang and Patrick Fonyuy Shey |
| Abstract: This study examined the influence of hormonal contraceptive child-spacing methods on family psychosocial well-being in the Bonassama Health District, Cameroon. This study was predicated on the understanding that the intentional timing of births within a family is a critical factor in maternal and child health outcomes. A convergent mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study involved 531 couples with at least two children, selected through stratified, simple random, and purposive sampling techniques. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and linear regression analysis, while qualitative data from focus group discussions were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings revealed that 31.4% of respondents utilized hormonal methods for child spacing, whereas 68.6% did not. A significant association was found between the use of hormonal methods and family psychosocial wellbeing (χ² = 5.277, p = 0.022), with a higher proportion of users reporting elevated psychosocial wellbeing (72.0%) compared to non-users (61.6%). Regression analysis further demonstrated that hormonal methods exerted a positive, moderate, and statistically significant effect on family psychosocial wellbeing (β = 0.438, F = 9.457, p = 0.004), accounting for 13.6% of the variance in wellbeing outcomes. Qualitative findings indicated that hormonal child-spacing methods contributed to improved family health, reduced stress, enhanced financial stability, strengthened family relationships, better educational opportunities for children, and improved child development outcomes. The study concludes that hormonal contraceptive child-spacing methods significantly enhance family psychosocial well-being by enabling planned parenthood, reducing family burdens, and improving overall quality of life. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening family planning education and increasing access to hormonal contraceptive services as strategies for promoting holistic family wellbeing and sustainable development in Cameroon. |
| Keywords: Hormonal contraceptives, child spacing, family psychosocial wellbeing |
| DOI: https://doi.org/10.52267/IJASER.2026.7405 |
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| Date of Publication: 13-07-2026 |
| Published Issue & Volume: Vol 7 Issue 4 July-August 2026 |