Examining Attitudes Toward Modern Family Planning In Northern Cross River State: Socio-Cultural Influences, Barriers, And Implications For Policy

This study examines attitudes toward modern family planning in Northern Cross River State, Nigeria, focusing on socio-cultural influences, barriers, and policy implications. Although knowledge of modern family planning methods is widespread, contraceptive prevalence remains low (14.4%) due to negative attitudes driven by cultural norms, religious beliefs, and gender dynamics. Data were collected from 397 respondents across five rural Local Government Areas using a cross-sectional survey design. Results show that while a majority of respondents held positive attitudes toward modern family planning, barriers such as spousal disapproval, religious objections, and misinformation persist. Gender disparities in decision-making were evident. However, many participants expressed willingness to defy community norms in favor of contraceptive use. The most commonly used method was oral contraceptive pills. Despite side effects, few sought medical advice, indicating a gap in follow-up care. Findings call for targeted interventions to address socio-cultural barriers, promote gender-equitable decision-making, and improve side-effect management through education and support services.