Beliefs and misconceptions about contraception and condom use among adolescents in south-east Nigeria

• Published in: Reproductive health 2021-01, Vol.18 (1), p.7-7, Article 7
• Main Authors: Mbachu, Chinyere Ojiugo, Agu, Ifunanya Clara, Obayi, Chinonso, Eze, Irene, Ezumah, Nkoli, Onwujekwe, Obinna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortion; Adolescent; Age; Alcoholic beverages; Behavior; Birth control; Condom; Condoms; Contraception; Contraceptives; Data collection; Developing countries; Education; Focus groups; Girls; Health aspects; Health literacy; Interviews; LDCs; Low income groups; Methods; Misconceptions; Pregnancy; Reproductive health; Sexual behaviours; Sexual intercourse; Social aspects; Surveys; Teenagers; Womens health; Youth
• ISSN: 1742-4755; 1742-4755
• DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-01062-y

Misconceptions about the usefulness of condoms and other contraceptives still expose many unmarried adolescents to the risk of unwanted teenage pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). This study explored beliefs and misconceptions about condoms and other contraceptives among adolescents in Ebonyi state, south-east Nigeria. A qualitative study was undertaken in six local government areas in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria. Data were collected within a period of one month from in and out-of-school adolescents aged 13-18 years using twelve focus group discussions (FGD). The data were analyzed using the thematic framework approach. Majority of the adolescents were knowledgeable about methods of contraception, how they are used and their modes of action. They were also knowledgeable about the dual effects of condoms in prevention of pregnancy and STIs. However, some misconceptions that were expressed by some adolescents were that pregnancy could be prevented by the use of (i) hard drugs, (ii) laxatives, (iii) white chlorine, and (iv) boiled alcoholic beverages. Condoms were described by some adolescent boys as reusable. Condoms were also perceived by some adolescents to reduce sexual pleasure, and this opinion was mostly held by boys. Coitus interruptus (withdrawal method) was therefore considered more preferable than condoms for prevention of pregnancy. Although majority adolescents have knowledge about contraception and condom use, some misconceptions still persist. These misconceptions put many adolescents at increased risk for pregnancy and STIs which are detrimental to their health and wellbeing. Concerted efforts should be made through educational and behaviour change interventions in schools and within communities to debunk persisting misconceptions about contraception including the use of condom, and properly educate adolescents on safe sex practices. Adolescents engage in unprotected sexual intercourse and other risky sexual behaviours because of some mistaken beliefs and wrong impressions about how to prevent unwanted pregnancy. These risky sexual behaviours predispose adolescents to sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortion and other reproductive health problems. In this qualitative study, we explored some of these mistaken beliefs about condoms and other methods of preventing pregnancy. During focus group discussions, adolescents identified modern contraceptive methods, and described their modes of action and how they are used