Does girls’ empowerment predict contraceptive intentions? Evidence from a survey of secondary school girls in Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, women’s empowerment has been linked to contraceptive use, but little is known about whether girls’ empowerment affects contraceptive intentions, particularly in more traditional societies where early marriage and childbearing are common. Drawing on a survey of 240 secondary school students in Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria, in September–November 2018, we examined whether dimensions of girls’ empowerment (academic self-mastery, perceived career feasibility, progressive gender norms, and marriage autonomy) and family planning indicators (knowledge, desired family size) were associated with future intentions to use family planning. We found that half of the girls had no intention to use contraception, and only one-fourth intended to use contraception for both delaying/spacing and stopping pregnancies. Multivariate analysis revealed that one dimension of empowerment (perceived career feasibility) and family planning knowledge were significantly associated with intentions. These results suggest that girls perceive contraceptive use as risky, and require contraceptive knowledge and an anticipated career to overcome their trepidation. To increase girls’ intentions to use contraceptives, it is vital that they receive comprehensive sexuality education and career counselling.