ACMJ Article

Abstract

The availability of correct information and communication is key to the reproductive health decisions of women, especially in rural areas, where the socio-cultural barriers are still strong. This study examined the barriers to communication and information gaps in the contraceptive decision-making of women in Oye LGA, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The objectives were to identify major sources of contraceptive information, determine the barriers women face in accessing such information, assess the impact of these barriers on informed decision-making, and suggest strategies to improve communication and uptake. A survey design was adopted, with structured questionnaires administered to women of reproductive age in Oye LGA. Data collected from a sample size of 310 respondents were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with hypotheses tested at the 0.05 significance level. Results showed that healthcare providers, community health workers, and family/peers were the most important sources of information, and mass media were less important. Nevertheless, cultural beliefs (x = 3.80) and stigma (x = 3.90) turned out to be the most severe communication barriers, compared with language or physical access limitations. The paper then concludes that the problem is not the lack of information in Oye LGA, but rather the socio-cultural restrictiveness which perverts its efficiency. It suggests a multi-pronged communication strategy that empowers health providers, deals with stigma, and incorporates family planning into community and school systems.

TACKLING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS AND INFORMATION GAPS IN WOMEN’S CONTRACEPTIVE CHOICES IN OYE LGA, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA, 2025, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 68-79. PDF