Fasanu Adeniyi, Fasanu Oluwafunmilayo A, Adeyemo Sunday C, Awodele Kehinde, Olabode Eniola D, Isawumi Adegboye I, Oyewole Adeoye, Olaitan Lanre
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osun State University, Osogbo, NGA.
Public Health, Adeleke University, Ede, NGA.
Cureus. 2025 Apr 23;17(4):e82823. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82823. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Background The Nigerian government has implemented several policies and programs aimed at improving access to and uptake of family planning services. However, despite these efforts, the country continues to face significant challenges, with a substantial proportion of women experiencing unmet needs for contraception and high rates of unintended pregnancies. Therefore, this study aims to assess the perceived barriers to the uptake of family planning services among women of reproductive age in Osun State, Nigeria. Methods The study employed a qualitative study design using focus group discussions (FGDs). Women of reproductive age, 15-49 years old, who are not using contraceptives and residing in the selected local government areas within Osun State were included in the study, while women who are not within reproductive age and women using contraceptives were excluded from the study. Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. One focus group discussion (one group consisting of five participants) was done in each market, giving a total of 12 focus group discussions with 60 participants. A key in-depth interview was also carried out with the permanent secretary of the Osun State Ministry of Health and the Family Planning program coordinator for Osun State. Data was collected using open-ended questions and conducted by doctors and public health professionals. The data was coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti (Version 24) qualitative data analysis software. First, the interviews were transcribed and organized into themes and sub-themes based on the centrality of ideas within each category. Results Findings of the study highlighted four major barriers, which are: health concerns, spousal disapproval, religious and socio-cultural barriers such as misconceptions and stigma, and system barriers such as shortage of personnel as well as consumables. Conclusion Four primary factors in the evaluation of barriers and challenges to the uptake of family planning services in the study area include personal, spouse, religious and sociocultural, and system factors. Health education should provide accurate information about contraceptive methods, addressing myths and misconceptions. Collaboration with religious leaders can help address faith-based concerns.
背景 尼日利亚政府已实施多项政策和计划，旨在改善计划生育服务的可及性和使用率。然而，尽管做出了这些努力，该国仍面临重大挑战，相当一部分妇女存在未满足的避孕需求，意外怀孕率居高不下。因此，本研究旨在评估尼日利亚奥孙州育龄妇女在使用计划生育服务方面所感知到的障碍。
方法 本研究采用定性研究设计，运用焦点小组讨论（FGD）。研究纳入了年龄在15至49岁之间、未使用避孕措施且居住在奥孙州选定地方政府辖区内的育龄妇女，未处于育龄期的妇女以及使用避孕措施的妇女被排除在研究之外。参与者采用多阶段抽样技术选取。在每个市场进行一次焦点小组讨论（一组由五名参与者组成），共进行了12次焦点小组讨论，有60名参与者。还对奥孙州卫生部常务秘书和奥孙州计划生育项目协调员进行了一次关键深入访谈。数据通过开放式问题收集，由医生和公共卫生专业人员进行。使用ATLAS.ti（版本24）定性数据分析软件对数据进行编码和分析。首先，对访谈进行转录，并根据每个类别中观点的核心地位将其组织成主题和子主题。
结果 研究结果突出了四个主要障碍，即：健康担忧、配偶反对、宗教和社会文化障碍，如误解和耻辱感，以及系统障碍，如人员和消耗品短缺。
结论 研究区域内评估计划生育服务使用障碍和挑战的四个主要因素包括个人、配偶、宗教和社会文化以及系统因素。健康教育应提供关于避孕方法的准确信息，消除神话和误解。与宗教领袖合作有助于解决基于信仰的担忧。
