Myth and misconception about long-acting reversible contraception use among reproductive age group women in Debre Berhan governmental health centers, Ethiopia: qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Despite the effectiveness, convenience, and reversibility of fertility, long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method use is still low in the world and Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Myths and misconceptions are believed to be one of the major reported barriers and impediments to LARC use. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate myths and misconceptions about LARC use among women of reproductive age in Debre Brehan town, Ethiopia, at governmental health centers. Methods: A qualitative study using a qualitative descriptive design was conducted from January 24 to April 15, 2022. Twenty-nine reproductive-age women who came for family planning services and 6 key informants were selected using a purposive sampling technique, and an in-depth interview technique with semistructured questionnaires was used to collect the data. The analysis was conducted using the thematic analysis method and ATLAS. ti9 qualitative software was used to support the analysis. Result: The findings of this study revealed that women had a variety of myths and misconceptions about the use of long-acting reversible contraception, including that it had an adverse impact on reproductive health problems and a predisposition to maternal and fetal illness; that the method was unsafe and ineffective in its characteristics; and that, socio-culturally, it was an unacceptable and undesirable method for women to use. Conclusion: This study indicates that there are widespread myths and misconceptions regarding long-acting reversible contraception use in reproductive-age women, which emanate from different concerns in the community. Measures should be taken by the concerned body to dispel or at least reduce these myths and misconceptions.