Perceptions of Pregnant Women on the Influence of Health Literacy in Family Planning Use: A Case of Akheri Ward, Arumeru District, Arusha, Tanzania

Abstract

Health literacy is critically important in reproductive health because it empowers individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive well-being. This study assessed the Perceptions of Pregnant Women on the Influence of Health Literacy in Family Planning Use. A case of Akheri Ward, Arumeru District, Arusha-Tanzania using a cross-sectional desgin. Despite existing research on family planning in the region, the role of health literacy remains underexplored. Health literacy, defined as the ability to access, comprehend, and apply health-related information, significantly impacts reproductive health decisions. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, collecting data from 269 pregnant women and key informants through questionnaires and interviews. Findings revealed that 94.8% of respondents agreed that health literacy significantly influences family planning utilization, with 39% and 28.6% perceiving its impact as great and very great, respectively. Qualitative insights from healthcare providers emphasized the importance of education in dispelling myths and empowering individuals to make informed reproductive choices. The study concludes that enhancing health literacy through targeted education, media campaigns, community outreach and designing family plan educative programmes can improve family planning uptake, contributing to better maternal and child health outcomes.