Perceptions of and barriers to uptake of contraceptives in plantation farming communities of Cross River State, Nigeria: A qualitative inquiry.

The contraceptive use in Nigeria is relatively low, indicative of the non-adoption of contraceptives by people of reproductive age to curtail the increasing fertility rate with its attendant consequences on the family. The non-use is attributed to numerous factors, including perceptions of and attendant barriers to the uptake of contraceptives. This study was aimed at assessing the perception of and barriers to the uptake of contraceptives among residents of plantation farming communities in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was a multi-sited qualitative descriptive study conducted in three Local Government Areas (Ikom, Yakurr, and Akamkpa) in Cross River State, Nigeria between March and April 2022. Nine Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and twelve key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with respondents from three plantation farming communities. The FGDs were conducted on sexually active unmarried girls, married women within the reproductive age, and married men with spouses of reproductive age. The KIIs were conducted on health care providers, village heads, youth leaders, and women leaders. The generated data were thematically analyzed using both deductive and inductive analytical approaches. Married women were deemed eligible to use contraceptives, which are viewed as a method for preventing pregnancy. The information supplied by healthcare professionals was deemed insufficient for women to make informed decisions. Fear of side effects, dysfunctional health facilities, frequent stock outs, and spousal opposition were the most significant barriers to contraceptive use. Family planning programs should be targeted more at residents of rural areas to increase awareness, dispel misconceptions, and promote contraceptive use.