Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Nigerians Towards Herbal Contraception: A Questionnaire- Based Study

Aims: With a population of about 222 million, which is expected to rise to 377 million making Nigeria the 3rd largest country in the world by 2050, a well-planned family will improve the quality of life of mother and child.

Methodology: A non-probability online survey was conducted (October 2021 and November 2021), recruiting 1113 participants across Nigeria. Socio-demographic data and information on contraceptives were obtained, and Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence at a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed using R 4.2.1.

Results: Significant associations (P < .001) were found between age, marital status, education, and profession of respondents. About 44.65% were 15-29 years, while 41.2% were 30-34 years. No significant association was observed between the age group, gender, and the need for population control. Females (50.04%), 15-29 years old (66.48%) are more likely to approve of the need for population control. Likewise, females (22.01%), with tertiary education (18.78%) are well-informed about contraceptive use (P < .001). Only 19.38% (n = 184; P < .001) of participants used herbal contraceptives, in the form of liquid mixtures (55.98%), teas (17.93%), pills (12.50%), and powders (10.87%), with 26.63% > 7.61% > 6.52% > 5.98% = 5.98% = 5.98% > 4.89% > 3.80% who took Moringa, Alligator Pepper, Neem Plant, Castor Beans, African Star apple Momordica, Rosary Pea, and Horse-eye Bean respectively as contraceptives. Aged parents (32.07%), friends (31.52%), doctors (15.76%), herbalists (5.98%), pharmacists (5.43%), and nurses (3.80%) played a significant (P < .001) role in recommending these herbs. Furthermore, 76.37% recommended the development of indigenous herbal contraceptives in Nigeria, while 23.63% did not.

Conclusion: Although participants have expressed a preference for herbal contraceptives, knowledge of them is lacking, which calls for more awareness campaigns and policy formulations for their promotion, development, and adoption in Nigeria.