Knowledge, beliefs and perceptions of religious leaders on modern contraceptive use in Burkina Faso: a qualitative study

Barro, Abibata; Nana, Noufou Gustave; Soubeiga, Dieudonné; Bationo, Nestor; Pafadnam, Yacouba; Pilabre, Hermann; Ngangue, Patrice

doi:10.11604/pamj.2021.39.216.27082

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In contradiction, research found that faith leaders are against the use of modern methods and prefer traditional methods or abstinence instead. 24 However, their study was based on interviews mainly conducted with Catholic, and Muslim faith leaders, while our findings were based on interviews of which 91% of participants were protestant. This could explain the differences in their perceptions since the adoption of modern contraceptives could be influenced by faith.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Male engagement in family planning: the role of faith leaders in urban West Africa

Hylkema,

Ilozumba

2023

Journal of Public Health

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Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims to improve access to modern contraceptives and inform and educate people on family planning (FP). However, contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in West Africa is low at approximately 20%. One related factor is the limited engagement of males in FP decision-making. Addressing this issue requires a multiplicity of approaches, including the engagement of faith leaders. Faith leaders are often trusted by their congregants and could be an avenue to promoting male involvement in FP. In this report, we discuss the role of faith leaders in two West African countries, Nigeria and Ghana. We conducted 11 in-depth interviews with faith leaders in Nigeria and Ghana. Our exploratory findings indicate that faith leaders seem to have adequate knowledge and a positive perspective on male engagement and FP. In addition, the relationship of trust faith leaders maintain with their congregants is valuable in educating or counselling congregants on male engagement and FP.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Male engagement in family planning: the role of faith leaders in urban West Africa

Hylkema,

Ilozumba

2023

Journal of Public Health

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“…The literature consistently underscores the significance of engaging religious leaders in promoting family planning. Consequently, there has been a shift among religious leaders towards increased openness in endorsing and advocating for family planning initiatives, especially by sharing messages about birth spacing through the use of traditional contraceptive methods 39–41. However, it is essential to recognise that the impact of religion on contraceptive use is influenced by a complex interplay of socioeconomic and cultural factors 28 42.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, there has been a shift among religious leaders towards increased openness in endorsing and advocating for family planning initiatives, especially by sharing messages about birth spacing through the use of traditional contraceptive methods. [39][40][41] However, it is essential to recognise that the impact of religion on contraceptive use is influenced by a complex interplay of socioeconomic and cultural factors. 28 42 Factors such as education and gender equality not only affect women's access to and utilisation of modern contraceptives but also their ability to properly use traditional contraceptives, which require knowledge of the ovulatory cycle and negotiation within intimate relationships.…”

Section: Bmj Global Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between women’s empowerment and demand for family planning satisfied among Christians and Muslims in multireligious African countries

Hellwig,

Wado,

Barros

2024

BMJ Glob Health

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BackgroundAlthough the levels of demand for family planning satisfied (DFPS) have increased in many countries, cultural norms remain a significant barrier in low- and middle-income countries. In the context of multireligious African countries, our objective was to investigate intersectional inequalities in DFPS by modern or traditional contraceptives according to religion and women’s empowerment.MethodsAnalyses were based on Demographic and Health Surveys carried out between 2010 and 2021 in African countries. Countries with at least 10% of Muslims and Christians were selected to analyse inequalities in family planning. The religious groups were characterised by wealth, area of residence, women’s age and women’s empowerment. The mean level of empowerment was estimated for each religious group, and multilevel Poisson regression was used to assess whether DFPS varied based on the level of women’s empowerment among Muslims and Christians.ResultsOur study sample of 14 countries comprised 35% of Muslim and 61% of Christian women. Christians had higher levels of empowerment across all three domains compared with Muslims and women with no/other religion. DFPS was also higher among Christians (57%) than among Muslims (36%). Pooled analysis indicated a consistent association between DFPS and women’s empowerment, with higher prevalence ratios among Muslims than Christians, especially in the decision-making domain.ConclusionsThe gap between Muslims and Christians in DFPS significantly reduced as the level of empowerment increased. It highlights the importance of understanding and addressing cultural factors sensibly and respectfully to satisfy the demand for family planning services.

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“…if there is a high chance of losing either the mother or the child’s life during pregnancy or delivery) [17]. A study in Burkina Faso also revealed that religious leaders believe that modern contraceptive methods are against the principles of religion [18]. These contrasting viewpoints indicate a complex interplay between religious doctrine and the acceptability of modern contraceptive methods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural is divine: Religious leaders’ nuanced views on birth spacing and contraceptives in Sierra Leone - qualitative insights

Yillah,

Bull,

Sawneh

et al. 2023

Preprint

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This research explored the viewpoints of 116 religious leaders in Sierra Leone including 32 Muslims and 84 Christians from nine different denominations. The study’s primary objectives were to understand their perspectives on family planning, modern contraceptives, sexual reproductive health education, and the religious doctrines influencing these beliefs. The study also aimed to gauge their knowledge of family planning and modern contraceptive methods.In September 2021, data was collected from religious figures purposefully selected from 11 districts and the Western Area Urban through 16 focus group discussions. The discussions, initially conducted in local languages, were translated and transcribed into English. The data was then subjected to a thematic analysis using NVIVO 12 software.The analysis revealed diverse opinions, both across different religions and within specific denominations. A common thread was the general support from both Christian and Muslim leaders for natural birth spacing methods, with some reservations about artificial techniques. There were clear distinctions in beliefs among denominations: Catholics largely considered artificial contraceptives to be against the divine will, while Pentecostals and some Muslims found them permissible under certain conditions.The findings underscore the potential of religious leaders in Sierra Leone to act as influential advocates for family planning, given their support for natural birth spacing. To maximize the impact of advocacy efforts, the study suggests a focus on engaging Pentecostals and Muslim leaders rather than Catholics. Additionally, religious leaders with professional backgrounds in health or education appear more receptive to modern contraceptive methods and could be particularly valuable allies in these endeavours.

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Knowledge, beliefs and perceptions of religious leaders on modern contraceptive use in Burkina Faso: a qualitative study

Cited by 9 publications

References 20 publications

Male engagement in family planning: the role of faith leaders in urban West Africa

Male engagement in family planning: the role of faith leaders in urban West Africa

Association between women’s empowerment and demand for family planning satisfied among Christians and Muslims in multireligious African countries

Natural is divine: Religious leaders’ nuanced views on birth spacing and contraceptives in Sierra Leone - qualitative insights

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