Child Spacing and Family Planning Services Utilisation: A Comparative Study of Married Women in Rural and Urban Communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Optimal child spacing reduces maternal and child morbidity and mortality, yet unmet need for spacing and gaps in family planning (FP) utilisation persist in Nigeria. Evidence on rural–urban differences in spacing preferences and FP use at subnational level, particularly in Bayelsa State, remains limited. This study compared child‑spacing preferences, FP access/utilisation, and their determinants among married women in rural and urban communities in Bayelsa State. A community‑based comparative cross‑sectional study was conducted among 862 married women (431 rural; 431 urban) selected through multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using an interviewer‑administered semi-structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi‑square tests assessed associations between socio‑demographic, reproductive variables and FP utilisation, with significance set at p < 0.05. The response rate was 100%. The mean age was 35.9 ± 8.5 years, with no significant rural–urban difference. Christianity predominated but was significantly more common in urban women (p = 0.03). Urban respondents were more likely to have tertiary education, formal employment, and higher income; these socio‑economic differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). A two‑year interval was the most preferred spacing between births in both groups, slightly higher among urban women (57.3% vs. 55.7%); overall differences in preferred spacing were significant (p = 0.01). Actual spacing mirrored preferences, with two‑year intervals most common; four‑year intervals were more frequent in urban women (p = 0.01). Access to FP services exceeded 50% in both groups. Ever‑use of FP was slightly higher in rural women, but not significant; however, current use was significantly higher among rural than urban respondents (53.8% vs. 31.8%; p < 0.01). Implants were the most commonly used method in both settings. Significant rural–urban differences were observed for withdrawal (higher urban), pills and injectables (higher rural), and abstinence (higher urban) (all p < 0.05). Distance to facilities was the main barrier in rural areas, while cost predominated in urban areas. Education and employment significantly predicted FP utilisation among rural women; in urban women, religion, education, parity, child sex composition, and income were the significant determinants. Married women in Bayelsa commonly prefer a two‑year spacing interval, with notable rural–urban differences in actual spacing, FP use, and barriers. Context‑specific strategies are required to address geographic and financial barriers and to tailor demand‑generation and service delivery across rural and urban communities