title: Community-based study of contraceptive behaviour in Nigeria.
abstract: A cross sectional, community-based, descriptive study among women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) in Nigeria to explore the possible reasons for contraceptive non-use despite reported high awareness was carried out. Data were obtained using a standard questionnaire instrument and applied on 2001 respondents. Contraceptive prevalence among sexually active respondents was 14.8% for all methods, 10.1% for modern methods and only 0.8% for emergency contraceptives. The most frequently stated reasons for non-use of contraceptives, among those who had never used any contraceptives but who did not want more children were: "did not think about it", "against religious belief" and "fear of side effects." Prior counseling significantly improved the continuation rate of contraception. Multivariate analysis showed that older, married and more educated women tended to use contraceptives more. Health-care providers should be trained to offer counseling services to all clients in general, and young, unmarried and uneducated women in particular in order to improve their acceptance of contraceptives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Lagos, Nigeria. bonifaceoye@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Boniface A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Oye-Adeniran
authors.forename: Isaac F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Adewole
authors.forename: Augustine V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Umoh
authors.forename: Adesina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oladokun
authors.forename: Abidoye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghadegsin
authors.forename: Ekanem E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Ekanem
authors.forename: Bidemi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yusuf
authors.forename: Kofo A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Odeyemi
authors.forename: Ngozi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwere
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012067:Religion; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D016387:Women's Health