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The speedy change in the Saudi Arabian community's socio-demographic pattern will significantly influence reproductive attitudes and practices with increasing preferences toward family planning because of the use of contraceptives. The current study was conducted to determine the attitudes and knowledge of married women in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia regarding contraceptives use. Saudi married women from the Aseer region were the participants of this cross-sectional study. The study's objectives were covered via a standardized questionnaire, and the study comprised of 412 married women. A 100 % participant's response was demonstrated, while 31.8 % of the respondents were 31-40 years old. Most of the participants have a great awareness and knowledge about contraceptives, while (n=324; 78.6%) had previously used contraceptives. Additionally, 297 (72.1%) have intention to use contraceptive methods in the future. Majority of the participants (n=297; 91.6%) considered the economic and family planning as a reason for using the contraceptives, while natural family planning was mostly preferred (n=202; 49%). Logistic regression analysis exhibited significant correlation between the age, education, employment, monthly income and children number. The findings show that Saudi married women have high perceptions and knowledge of contraception. However, more effort is required to raise awareness regarding family planning and contraceptives, whereas the policy makers must exclude the obstacles to women from using contraceptives.
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Female , Saudi Arabia , Spouses , Contraception , Family Development PlanningABSTRACT
Abstract Objective Early marriage has many deleterious effects on the health of girls, such as sexual dissatisfaction, an inevitable result of the lack of sufficient knowledge about sexual issues at the time of the marriage. The goal of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of counseling based on functional analytic psychotherapy with enhanced cognitive therapy (FECT) on the sexual quality of life of married adolescent women. Methods This clinical trial was conducted between July and October 2019 on 150 married adolescent women who met the inclusion criteria. In the intervention group, FECTwas conducted in sixteen 90-minute sessions twice a week. The Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire was used. When the study ended, the control group was given the choice of receiving the same intervention as the intervention group. Results The paired t-test showed a significant difference between the mean score of sexual quality of life before (52.33±23.09) and after (88.08±10.51) counseling in the intervention group (p<0.0001). According to the analysis of covariance, there was a significant difference between the score on sexual quality after counseling between the intervention (88.08±10.51) and control (60.32±23.73) groups (p<0.0001). There was also a significant difference between the mean score on the four dimensions of sexual quality of life in the intervention group (p<0.0001). Conclusion The results showed that counseling based on FECT improved the sexual quality of life in all dimensions in married adolescent women.
Resumo Objetivo O casamento precoce tem muitos efeitos deletérios sobre a saúde das meninas, como a insatisfação sexual, resultado inevitável da falta de conhecimento suficiente sobre questões sexuais no momento do casamento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a eficácia do aconselhamento baseado em psicoterapia analítica funcional com terapia cognitiva aprimorada (FECT) na qualidade de vida sexual de mulheres adolescentes casadas. Métodos Este ensaio clínico foi realizado entre julho e outubro de 2019 em 150 mulheres adolescentes casadas que preencheram os critérios de inclusão. No grupo de intervenção, FECT foi realizado em dezesseis sessões de 90 minutos duas vezes por semana. Foi utilizado o questionário Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F). Quando o estudo terminou o grupo de controle teve a opção de receber a mesma intervenção do grupo de intervenção. Resultados O teste t pareado mostrou diferença significativa entre o escore médio da qualidade de vida sexual antes (52,33±23,09) e após (88,08±10,51) o aconselhamento no grupo intervenção (p<0,0001). De acordo com a análise de covariância houve diferença significativa entre o escore de qualidade sexual após aconselhamento entre os grupos intervenção (88,08±10,51) e controle (60,32±23,73) (p<0,0001). Também houve diferença significativa entre a pontuação média nas quatro dimensões da qualidade de vida sexual no grupo de intervenção (p<0,0001). Conclusão Os resultados mostraram que o aconselhamento baseado no FECT melhorou a qualidade de vida sexual em todas as dimensões em mulheres adolescentes casadas.
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Humans , Female , Adolescent , Marriage , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Quality of Life , Sexual Behavior , CounselingABSTRACT
Background:Family planning is one of the factors which have a great role in the reduction of global poverty by positively contributing to socio-economic development. Additionally controlling both the number and timing of births through utilization of contraception isassociated with improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The aim of the study was to assess utilization of modern contraception among married women. Methods:A community based cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative study methods was conducted from February 15 toMarch 15, 2016 in Aleta Chuko district, Southern Ethiopia.Multistage cluster sampling procedure was used to select a total of 364 married womenof reproductive age(18-49).Descriptive statistics, Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0. On the other hand, qualitativedata were analyzed thematically and the result was presented innarration.Results:Contraceptive prevalence rate among married women in Aleta Chuko district was 45.5%. Results of Multiple Binary Logistic Regression revealed that residence, educational level of the respondents, discussion about modern contraceptives with husband, partner’s approval of modern contraceptive use and joint decision on the number of children were significantly associated with modern contraceptive use.Conclusions:Therefore, district health office and concerned stakeholders should focus on couples to encourage girl’s education, communication between couples, and male involvement for family planning.
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Background: India was the first country to have launched a National Program for Family Planning in 1952, but still there is no control on population growth. The objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of contraceptives among married women in semi urban area of Tamil Nadu.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in a semi urban area of Tamil Nadu. Married women of reproductive age (15-49) were included. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the subjects and self-administered questionnaire was used as study tool.Results: In this study about 91.80% were aware of at least one of the contraceptive methods but only 64.75% women used. The most common reason for using contraception was small family norms (75.89%) and for not using contraception was worried about side effects. The method commonly preferred was sterilisation (63.93%). The process of decision making was done mutually by both husband and wife (76.79%). There is an association existing between the education and awareness.Conclusions: On overall analysis it was found that only 49% are aware of contraception. Thus by proper motivation, counselling and improving facilities at both government and private sector, the unmet needs of contraception can be a
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Background: The concept of unmet need for family planning points to the gap between some women’s reproductive intentions and their contraceptive behaviour. The National Population policy (NPP) 2000 states that the immediate objective is to address the unmet need for contraceptive services. Unintended pregnancy related to unmet need is a worldwide problem that affects women and their families and societies at large.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to October 2017 in Maralur and Maralur Dinne, urban localities under urban health Training Centre of Sri Siddhartha Medical College. 260 Married women (15–49 years) were interviewed by house to house survey. The questionnaire was used to collect data to assess their reproductive intentions and contraceptive behaviour.Results: Out of 260 participants, 144 (55.4%) of them belonged to the group where their contraceptive needs were met for spacing and limiting births, 59 (22.69%) of them of did not have any need for contraceptives, 16 (6.15%) had unmet need for spacing births and 41 (15.77%) of the participants had unmet need for limiting births.Conclusions: The unmet need for contraceptives was 21.92% in the study which is much higher compared to NFHS-4 data for urban India (12.1%). The reasons and the factors associated with the unmet need should be addressed.
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Objective To investigate and analyze the prevalence, patterns and associated factors of domestic violence against married women in Wenzhou area. Methods a total of 705 married women took part in this cross-sectional study conducted in 2018. Conflict Tactics Scales and several short demographic questions were used in this study to collect basic information and the occurence of domestic violence within 12 months. Results Nearly 40% of married women experienced at least one incident of domestic violence during the past 12 months. 33.8% of respondents experiencing one episode of psychological violence in the past 12 months, followed by 19.5% experienced physical violence and 14.9%of sexual violence. The joint occurrence of multiple forms of violence was the most commonly reported features experiencing domestic violence. Some individual (education and Hukou), marital relationship (marital satisfaction, duration of marriage, marital autonomy marital models) and family (family model and sex roles) factors of the respondents, were negatively or positively associated with domestic violence against married women. Conclusion The results indicated that there was a high rate of domestic violence among married women in Wenzhou area. Accordingly, there is an obvious need of intervention and treatment activities to prevent and reduce the occurrence of domestic violence among the married women.
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BACKGROUND: Family values of a married woman may be related to her own depressive mood. Since depressive mood of a married woman is likely to exert a negative influence, in terms of mental health, on her, her family members, and the whole society's, it may be very important to explore the relationship between family values in married women and their depressive mood. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed nationally representative 5,818 married women aged 20 years or older from the 4th panel data of 2012 Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families. As for variables of interest, we constructed three family values variables: family-oriented view of marriage, individualistic view of marriage, and traditional view of marital roles. Then we employed multivariate logistic regression analyses to explore the relationship between family values and depressive mood, adjusting for family and socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: In total, 804 married women (18.4%) had experienced depressive mood. All of the three family values variables were significant in their relationships with depressive mood. The women categorized as ‘very weak’ in family-oriented view of marriage were more likely to experience depressive mood than the women categorized as ‘very strong’ (odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53–2.55). By contrast, the women categorized as ‘very weak’ in individualistic view of marriage (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.33–0.55) and in traditional view of marital roles (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51–0.92) were less likely to experience depressive mood than their respective counterpart women categorized as ‘very strong.’ CONCLUSION: In Korea, married women's values towards marriage itself and roles between wives and husbands had significant associations with their depressive mood. This suggests that in order to improve mental health in married women, we need to take social and cultural dimensions into consideration along with public health interventions.
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Female , Humans , Depression , Korea , Logistic Models , Longitudinal Studies , Marriage , Mental Health , Public Health , SpousesABSTRACT
Objective: The main aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between cosmetic surgery and psychological variables such as self-esteem and marital satisfaction along with its components in Iran. Methods: The study had an ex-post facto, pre-post-test design. Using purposive sampling method, a total of 30 married women, who had referred for cosmetic surgery to clinics in Tehran, were incorporated during a six-month period. Data collection instruments included Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. The obtained data were analyzed using inferential statistics (analysis of variance for repeated measures, related sample test, and Pearson correlation coefficient). Results: According to the results of this study, some components of marital satisfaction (such as marital relations, financial management, leisure, and sex) and self-esteem of women before and after cosmetic surgery is statistically significant also there is a relationship betwean marital satisfaction and self-esteem, as self-esteem increases, marital satisfaction rises too. Conclusion: Performance of such surgeries always presents risks, and advice should be sought before making any decision about the surgery.
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Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the differences between Attachment Style and Personality traits in women who faced marital infidelity and those who didn’t. Each component can play a significant role in promoting the marital relationships and reducing the marital infidelity. Methods: The present research is a casual-comparative study. The study sample consisted of all married women who refer to Welfare Divorce Reduce centers in Tehran province because of infidelity. Of these, 120 married women are selected among which 60 women experienced infidelity and 60 of them didn’t experience marital infidelity. Data collection tool was short form of Adult Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ) and NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO –SF). Data analysis was performed by using SPSS software and using statistical descriptions (frequency, tendency to center of index and dispersion index) and statistical analysis method was ANOVA. Results: According to the results of this study, the hypotheses were confirmed. In other words, there is a significant different between the components of Attachment Style and Personality traits in women who had infidelity and those didn’t face infidelity in their marriage. Each of the components of Attachment Style and Personality traits can be a predictor of marital dissatisfaction and infidelity. Conclusion: women with Avoidant attachment and Neuroticismtrait showed the highest percentage of entering into marital infidelity. It seems that determination of Attachment Style and Personality traits for each of the couples before marriage can be a contributing factors in improving marital relations.
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Background:Worldwide leading cause of ill health among women is mainly due to reproductive health problems. An initial symptom of all reproductive tract diseases is abnormal vaginal discharge. Objectives: to assess the magnitude of abnormal vaginal discharge, its factors, social correlates among the married women of reproductive age group. Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted among married women of reproductive age group attending General OPD at Urban Health Centre. They were selected by systematic random sampling. Results: Among total of 400 respondents screened for the presence of abnormal vaginal discharge 136(34%) were found to have abnormal vaginal discharge. 26% were from age group of 25-29 years. More than half Muslims, 43% educated upto primary and 2/3rd from nuclear family. Most common colour of vaginal discharge & symptom was curdy white and backache. Statistically significant association was found between abnormal vaginal discharge and age, education type of family. Also between abnormal vaginal discharge and few Maternal factors: duration of married life, history of abortion, parity, number of children, birth spacing , use of IUCDs. Conclusion: There is a need to educate women about reproductive health issues and encourage them to seek treatment for their problems at the earliest.
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Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the differences between early maladaptive schemas in women who facedmarital infidelity and those who didn’t. In order to determine the contribution of each components having access to extensive information can play a significant role in promoting the marital relationships and reducing the marital infidelity. Methods: The present research is a casual-comparative study. The study sample consisted of all married women who refer to Welfare Divorce Reduce centers in Tehran province because of infidelity. Of these, 120 married women are selected among which 60 women experienced infidelity and 60 of them didn’t experience marital infidelity. Data collection toolwas short form of Young early maladaptive schemas. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS software and using statistical descriptions (frequency, tendency to center of index and dispersion index) and statistical analysis method was ANOVA. Results: According to the results of this study, the hypothesis was confirmed. In other words, there is a significant different between the component of early maladaptive schemas in women who had infidelity and those didn’t face infidelity in their marriage. So each of the components of early maladaptive schemas can be a predictor of marital dissatisfaction and infidelity. Conclusion: The high level in early maladaptive scheme would decreases marital satisfaction and increase infidelity. It seems that determination of maladaptive schemas traits for each of the couples before marriage can be a contributing factor in improving marital relations. So people who seek to design and implementprevention programs in the family, including infidelity, should consider these factors too.
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Background: Women are integral to all aspects of society. They are worshipped, but when it comes to dealing with them, much still remains. Women bear the burden of responsibility associated with being wives, mothers and carers of others. There is a dearth of casecontrol studies. Domestic violence in women with psychiatric morbidity has not received sufficient attention. Domestic violence can often lead to victims developing mental health problems, and people with mental health problems are more likely to experience domestic violence. People diagnosed with mental illness are more likely than others to be victims of domestic violence. Psychiatric morbidity as a determinant of domestic violence has received little attention. Indian culture is unique and there is limited work on domestic violence from Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Objective: To assess the magnitude and compare the cause of domestic violence in married women with psychotic and nonpsychotic illness. Materials and methods: Sixty-five women attending psychiatry outpatient department (OPD) of SSL Hospital with 35 women with psychotic illness and 30 nonpsychotic illness were studied for the magnitude of domestic violence by their husband. Domestic violence questionnaire was used. Women diagnosed as suffering from Axis-I disorder as per DSM IV TR. Results: Significantly more women in psychotic illness than nonpsychotic illness reported domestic violence (total/ psychological and physical) by their husbands in past year (women with psychotic illness: 80% total/psychological violence; 65.7% physical violence and nonpsychotic illness: 50% total/ psychological violence; 43.3% physical violence). Total domestic violence with psychiatric morbidity was observed in 66.2%. Conclusion: Women with psychotic illness have a higher reporting of domestic violence by their husbands during the past years. Women with mental disorders are likely to be victims of violence. Mental disorder may increase vulnerability to domestic violence by increasing the likelihood of women being in unsafe relationships and environments and increase their vulnerability to violent victimization.
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Objective To explore the married women of childbearing age education on HIV/AIDS intervention method, curb the spread of HIV.Methods Use family planning check B to exceed three op-portunity, for married women of childbearing age to carry out the publicity and consultation, and design a u-nified questionnaire, respectively in the survey of 500 were statistically analyzed before and after the inter-vention, effect evaluation in description epidemiological methods.Results Before and after the interven-tion, the AIDS knowledge awareness rate of married women of childbearing age was 62.75%(2183/3479) , 97.36%(3360/3451),attitudes to AIDS positive response rate was 65.19%(324/497), 95.94%(473/493), middle school students knowledge of AIDS awareness rate was 90.48% (5130/5670), 96.99%(5110/4956 ) , the villagers'awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge was 69.61% ( 2183/3136 ) , 97.36% (3360/3451) .After the intervention, the AIDS knowledge awareness and attitude to HIV positive answer rate of married women of childbearing age were significantly improved,middle school students, vil-lagers AIDS awareness rate were significantly higher than those before intervention.Conclusions The use of B-three examinations opportunities for married women in AIDS prevention knowledge of educational inter-vention improves the life skills of women of childbearing age to prevent AIDS, and to take advantage of the core and the influence of women of childbearing age in the family will spread AIDS prevention knowledge, radiation to family members and the community to improve AIDS prevention capacity of the whole society, to curb the AIDS epidemic.
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Sexual violence is not only a violation of human rights, but also a public health problem, with intimate partner violence and sexual violence among the most pervasive forms of violence against women. Worldwide, one in three women experience either physical or sexual partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. The lifetime prevalence of sexual partner violence reported by women, in age group of 15 to 49 years, in the WHO multi-country study ranged from 6% in Japan to 59% in Ethiopia, with rates in the majority of settings falling between 10% and 50%. The observed inter community; country and regional variation in the prevalence of violence imply that sexual violence within marriage can be addressed and preventable. The existing prevention programmes need to be tested and scaled up. The majority of women tend to avoid reporting these experiences due to associated shame, reprisal or gender inequity. Current review is an attempt to address the sexual violence among married women in a silent suffering. Various internets based popular search engines were used to explore data from literature, which includes PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar and Medknow. Search was done using the key-word combinations „sexual violence within marriage‟ and ‘intimate partner violence‟. A total of 51 publications were evaluated for this article.
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Background: In India, the rising prevalence of HIV among pregnant women is of great concern. Pregnant women are much receptive on health matters. So, it is important to assess their knowledge, attitude and perception regarding HIV/AIDS. Aims: To know the knowledge and to know the various factors influencing the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS in married women. Setting and design: The present community based cross sectional study was carried out in rural health training centre Ukkali, which belongs to department of community medicine, BLDE University’s Shri B.M. Patil medical college, Bijapur. Materials and methods: A total of 1182 married women, aged between 15 – 45years were interviewed. Pretested, pre designed questionnaire were administered to them. Statistical analysis: Data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using percentages. Results and Conclusion: Among the study population majority (77.5%) heard about HIV/AIDS and (45.6%) gained knowledge about HIV/AIDS through health worker, (29.3%) through media and (14.9%) through doctors. Among the participants, 20.4% told that HIV/AIDS spreads through unprotected sex, 17.0% through blood products and 6.3% through mother to child. Most (57.3%) of the study participants did not know about mother to child transmission. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS is crucial for married women because of increasing prevalence of this infection. There is a need for more information directly and indirectly through consistent awareness program among married women residing in rural areas.
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Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal illness caused by retrovirus known as the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). In 2011 it was estimated that 34.2 million adults worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS, among them 16.8 million were women.The present study assessed to know the knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS in married women of reproductive age group in an urban population of Belgaum city.This crosssectional study was conducted among 400 married women of Ramnagar area of Belgaum city using simple random sampling methods. Each woman was interviewed for her level of knowledge & Attitude about HIV/AIDS. Percentage and Chi square test was used for analysis.It was found that 92.8% of women were aware about HIV/AIDS. Television (80.4%) was the main sources of information 91.5% of women said that HIV/AIDS spread by unprotected sex. 89.4% women knew that HIV/AIDS can be prevented by consistent use of condom. Majority of women had positive attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.The study showed that, majority of the women were aware about HIV/AIDS, but some of them did not know the other aspects of the disease like ICTC and PPTCT services.
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Background: In the recent years, the issue of gynaecological problems of poor women in the developing countries has been receiving increasing attention. High levels of gynaecological morbidity, especially reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections may turn out to be fatal if not treated properly. Objectives of current study were to find out the prevalence of reproductive tract infections amongst married women, to co-relate the disease with certain socio demographic variables and to assess the awareness about reproductive tract infections in the study population. Methods: Sample size - Various community based studies carried out in the different regions world showed the prevalence of reproductive tract infections 36-84%. The sample size of study as per statistical calculation (4pq/l2, where p =50, q=100-p and l= 10% of p) came out to be 400. Method of Sampling - Prior enlisting all villages of Surendranagar district, one village was selected randomly. After random selection the village found was Khodu. Results: 56.5% of women reported either one or more symptoms of reproductive tract infections; vaginal discharge (29.7%) was the commonest symptom. Basic awareness about disease was 64.0%; Maximum prevalence of reproductive tract infections (62.90%) was found in the age group of 25-34 years. Conclusions: There is a significant association between socio-economic class, educational status and women having symptoms of reproductive tract infections.
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Objective To examine the association between domestic violence and mental/general health status among married migrant women at reproductive age. Methods A total of 958 eligible married migrant women of reproductive age who were selected through community-based multiple-stage sampling method in one urban district in Shanghai and interviewed in April and May 2010. Chi-square test,Fisher’s exact test and unconditional logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Results The overall prevalence of domestic violence in husbands was 40.0%. Among 5 adverse outcomes related to general health and 6 adverse outcomes related to mental health, exposing to physical or sexual violence in the life time or in the previous year were associated with 2 adverse outcomes related to general health(including often in pain/discomfort and sleeping problems) and 4 adverse outcomes related to mental health(including often feeling nervous/tense/worry,easily getting frightened,crying more than usual,often feeling worthless on herself or being indifferent to the surroundings). Experience of control behavior was associated with 1 adverse outcome that related to general health (often in pain or discomfort) and 3 adverse outcomes related to mental health including easily get frightened,feeling worthless on herself or indifferent to the surroundings, Experience of emotional violence in the previous year was associated with pain or discomfort feelings. Compared with those who had never experienced any violence from husband after adjusting for potential influencing factors in logistic regression models,respondents who had ever experienced physical or sexual violence,control behavior or emotional violence,the numbers were respectively, presented 2.25-3.70 times,1.94-4.75 times and 2.12 times,more likely to report the above-mentioned adverse health outcomes. Conclusion Domestic violence was associated with general and mental health among married migrant women at reproductive age,especially physical or sexual violence and control behaviors.
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Objective To examine the association between domestic violence and mental/general health status among married migrant women at reproductive age. Methods A total of 958 eligible married migrant women of reproductive age who were selected through community-based multiple-stage sampling method in one urban district in Shanghai and interviewed in April and May 2010. Chi-square test,Fisher’s exact test and unconditional logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Results The overall prevalence of domestic violence in husbands was 40.0%. Among 5 adverse outcomes related to general health and 6 adverse outcomes related to mental health, exposing to physical or sexual violence in the life time or in the previous year were associated with 2 adverse outcomes related to general health(including often in pain/discomfort and sleeping problems) and 4 adverse outcomes related to mental health(including often feeling nervous/tense/worry,easily getting frightened,crying more than usual,often feeling worthless on herself or being indifferent to the surroundings). Experience of control behavior was associated with 1 adverse outcome that related to general health (often in pain or discomfort) and 3 adverse outcomes related to mental health including easily get frightened,feeling worthless on herself or indifferent to the surroundings, Experience of emotional violence in the previous year was associated with pain or discomfort feelings. Compared with those who had never experienced any violence from husband after adjusting for potential influencing factors in logistic regression models,respondents who had ever experienced physical or sexual violence,control behavior or emotional violence,the numbers were respectively, presented 2.25-3.70 times,1.94-4.75 times and 2.12 times,more likely to report the above-mentioned adverse health outcomes. Conclusion Domestic violence was associated with general and mental health among married migrant women at reproductive age,especially physical or sexual violence and control behaviors.
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Aims: Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence is one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of married women in Nigeria is not currently using contraceptives and has no intention of doing so in the near future. This study was aimed at exploring the key cultural and societal perceptions, beliefs and practices that impede the uptake of contraceptives among young married Nigerians. Study Design: Focus group discussions (FGDs); qualitative. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in thirteen locations across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones between July 2010 and September 2010. Methodology: This is a qualitative study based on 30 focus group discussions held across 13 states in Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. Thirteen cities and towns were purposively selected to reflect the main ethnic and geographical variations in Nigeria. Focus groups were stratified, after initial screening, into four main groups: males, females currently using contraceptives, females not currently using contraception but with no unmet need; and females with unmet need. Local ‘mobilizers’ were enlisted to help in the recruitment. Trained FGD moderators and note takers used a semi-structured FGD guide to hold discussions in English or local languages. Results: Compared with women, men have poorer knowledge of family planning. Women currently using family planning do so for two main reasons. The first is for economic reasons at the family level and the second is for health reasons. The greatest impediment to women’s contraceptive use is lack of support from husbands and other significant others as well as the absence of inter-spousal communication. Real and perceived fear of side effects is a major barrier. Rumours, myths and misinformation about contraceptives often have a strong negative impact on use. Conclusion: The study confirms that even among young couples, inter-spousal communication is poor and contraceptive use in Nigeria is unlikely to improve without addressing men’s apparent lack of interest and involvement in family planning.