Abstract
BackgroundDespite its wider benefits and access made at community level, contraceptive methods are one of underutilized services in study area and it is believed to be influenced by misconceptions and socio cultural values. This study was designed to explore women’s perceptions, myths and misconception to inform program implementers.MethodsStudy was conducted in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region, Ethiopia in 2015. Five focus group discussions with 50 women of reproductive age and 10 key informant interviews with providers and program officers were done. The discussions and interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually using framework analysis with deductive and descriptive approaches.ResultsImproving community awareness about contraceptives and benefits of contraceptive utilization were acknowledged by majority of participants. Long acting methods were less preferred due to perceived side effects, myths and misconceptions and desire to have more children. Additionally, socio-economic status and partner influence were listed as reason for non-use. Poor provider-client interaction on available methods was also reported as system related gap.ConclusionProgram implementers need to address fears, myths and misconceptions. Quality of family planning counselling should be monitored.
Highlights
Despite its wider benefits and access made at community level, contraceptive methods are one of underutilized services in study area and it is believed to be influenced by misconceptions and socio cultural values
Increased contraceptive use and reduced unmet need for contraception are central to improving maternal health, reducing child mortality and combating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) [1,2,3]
Studies showed that socio-cultural beliefs, myths and misinformation were negatively associated with contraceptive use [10, 11, 16]
Summary
Despite its wider benefits and access made at community level, contraceptive methods are one of underutilized services in study area and it is believed to be influenced by misconceptions and socio cultural values. Women’s perception that they were not at risk of pregnancy, Endriyas et al BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2018) 18:98 desire for birth spacing or limiting, ideal family size, lack of sufficient knowledge, religious and cultural reasons, culturally based gender inequalities and women’s previous experience of child death were reported as factors of utilization of contraception [4, 12, 14]. Fear of side-effects has been reported as an important hindering factor to contraceptive use especially in developing countries [15]. Studies showed that socio-cultural beliefs, myths and misinformation were negatively associated with contraceptive use [10, 11, 16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
