Ethnographic study maps what shapes Nigerian women’s use of modern contraception

A focused ethnographic study in Nigeria has explored how women experience and perceive modern contraception, identifying perceptions, social influences and enabling factors that together shape whether women access and use family planning. The research, published in Contraception and Reproductive Medicine as an open access article on 20 October 2026, was conducted by Uchechi Clara Opara, Peace Njideka Iheanacho and Pammla Petrucka, and responds to a persistent problem: contraceptive prevalence in Nigeria remains low, and the lived experiences, cultural negotiations and informal strategies surrounding modern contraception have remained poorly understood.

The study set out to explore women’s perspectives and experiences with modern contraceptive use, along with the facilitators and barriers influencing that use. Rather than measuring uptake statistically, the researchers adopted a qualitative design intended to capture how women themselves describe and interpret contraception within their daily lives and social worlds.

Methodologically, the study employed a focused ethnographic methodology developed by Roper and Shapira. Data were collected using purposive and snowball sampling through 21 in-depth interviews, two focus group discussions involving 13 women, and 189 hours of participant observation. Data analysis followed the approach described by Roper and Shapira, grounding the interpretation in extended engagement with participants rather than a single interview snapshot.

From this material, the researchers generated three main themes using the relationships and expectations and cultural empowerment domains of the PEN-3 cultural model: Perceptions, Nurturers, and Positive Factors. This framework allowed the team to organise findings around how women understand contraception, who and what influences them, and what actively supports use.

Under the theme of Perceptions, the findings indicated that women’s lack of awareness and knowledge of contraception limited access to and use of contraception. In addition, several locally accepted contraception myths increased fear and discouraged women from using contraceptives.

The theme of Nurturers captured the social and relational forces surrounding contraceptive decisions. Religion emerged as both a positive and a negative nurturer, capable of encouraging and of limiting contraceptive use depending on context. In addition, polygamy, the desire for more children, and intergenerational cultural beliefs were found to be negative nurturers that limited women’s access to contraception, illustrating how family structure and inherited expectations can constrain individual choice.

The Positive Factors theme identified what works in women’s favour. Education was found to contribute positively to appropriate understanding and use of contraception.

The authors conclude that contraceptive use in Nigeria is shaped by multidimensional factors, including medical, cultural, religious, and social factors.

As a focused ethnography drawing on a specific sample of Nigerian women, the study describes experiences and perceptions within its setting rather than estimating prevalence nationally. Its contribution lies in detailing the interplay of knowledge, fear, religion, family structure, education and economic pressure as women themselves report them, offering a grounded evidence base for the tailored interventions the authors call for.

Subject of Research: Women's experiences, perceptions, facilitators and barriers regarding modern contraceptive use in Nigeria, studied through focused ethnography

Article Title: Women’s experiences and perceptions of the use of modern contraception: a focused ethnographic research in Nigeria

Article References: Opara, U. C., Iheanacho, P. N., & Petrucka, P. (2026). Women’s experiences and perceptions of the use of modern contraception: a focused ethnographic research in Nigeria. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-026-00477-5

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s40834-026-00477-5

Keywords: Nigeria, modern contraception, family planning, focused ethnography, PEN-3 cultural model, contraceptive myths, side effects, religion, polygamy, women's health, SDG 3.7.1, qualitative research