Abstract
Evidence from Ghana consistently shows that unmet need for contraception is pervasive with many possible causes, yet how these may differ by cultural zone remains poorly understood. This qualitative study was designed to elicit information on the nature and form of misconceptions associated with contraceptive use among northern and southern Ghanaians. Twenty-two focus group discussions (FGDs) with married community members were carried out. Community health officers, community health volunteers, and health care managers were also interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. FGDs and in-depth interviews were recorded digitally, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using QSR Nvivo 10 to compare contraceptive misconceptions in northern and southern Ghana. Results indicate that misconceptions associated with the use of contraceptives were widespread but similar in both settings. Contraceptives were perceived to predispose women to both primary and secondary infertility, uterine fibroids, and cancers. As regular menstrual flow was believed to prevent uterine fibroids, contraceptive use-related amenorrhea was thought to render acceptors vulnerable to uterine fibroids as well as cervical and breast cancers. Contraceptive acceptors were stigmatized and ridiculed as promiscuous. Among northern respondents, condom use was generally perceived to inhibit erection and therefore capable of inducing male impotence, while in southern Ghana, condom use was believed to reduce sensation and sexual gratification. The study indicates that misconceptions associated with contraceptive use are widespread in both regions. Moreover, despite profound social and contextual differences that distinguish northern and southern Ghanaians, prevailing fears and misconceptions are shared by respondents from both settings. Findings attest to the need for improved communication to provide accurate information for dispelling these misconceptions.
Highlights
Estimates suggest that sexual and reproductive conditions account for 18.4% of the global burden of disease, of which 32.0% is among women aged 15–44 years [1]
Sefwi Bibiani-Ahwiaso Bekwai (SBAB) district in Western region and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) municipal area in the Central region comprised localities of the southern zone, whereas Kassena-Nankana east (KNE) and west (KNW) districts in the Upper East Region of Ghana comprised the localities in the northern Ghana
CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND CHANGES IN WEIGHT The majority of women, who use contraceptives, do not gain or lose weight; this was a main misconception found in this study
Summary
Estimates suggest that sexual and reproductive conditions account for 18.4% of the global burden of disease, of which 32.0% is among women aged 15–44 years [1]. Contraception and family planning are integral components of reproductive health, and have demonstrated positive effects on women’s health. Family planning promotion has the potential to reduce poverty, maternal and child mortality, high risk pregnancy, and abortion [2]. Because of this importance, universal access to reproductive health services is identified as one of the targets of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals [3]. The World Health Organization has acknowledged the priority need for family planning services that enables couples to implement preferences to space or limit childbearing. Research in many settings has demonstrated that couples often eschew family planning out of concern for its detrimental effects. As is the case with all pharmaceuticals, all contraceptive methods have one or more known side-effects
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