Misconceptions and current use of contraception among women of reproductive age in six major cities in Nigeria

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the determinants of family planning misconceptions and modern contraceptive use, and the influence of misconceptions on the use of modern contraceptive methods. Methods: We reviewed and analysed data collected between October 2010 and March 2011 among a representative household sample of 13,575 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in six urban cities in Nigeria. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the predictors of misconceptions and current use of contraception and the association between misconceptions and modern contraceptive use. Results: Catholic women were significantly more likely to have misconceptions compared with Muslim women (beta = 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58, 1.60; p < .001); women with higher education were significantly less likely to have misconceptions about contraception compared with women with no formal education (beta= -0.06; 95% CI -0.96, -0.29; p < .001). Unmarried women living with a partner were not significantly different from those who were not cohabiting (single, separated or widowed) in their current contraceptive use (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.91; 95% CI 0.79, 1.04; p > .05). Women with lower misconception scores were significantly more likely to adopt and use modern contraception compared with those with high misconception scores (adjusted OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.92, 0.94; p < .001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that programmatic efforts should be geared towards dispelling misconceptions by providing simple factual information related to the benefits of contraception and family planning.