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Religious Leaders’ Knowledge of Family Planning and Modern Contraceptive Use and Their Involvement in Family Planning Programmes in Burkina Faso: A Qualitative Study in Dori in the Sahel Region

Authors :
Abibata Barro
Aristide Bado
Source :
Open Access Journal of Contraception
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Informa UK Limited, 2021.

Abstract

Abibata Barro,1 Aristide Romaric Bado2,3 1Service de formation des sages-femmes et maïeuticiens, École Nationale de Santé Publique (ENSP), Koudougou, Burkina Faso; 2Département Biomédical et Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; 3Demography and Sexual and Reproductive Health Project (DEMSAN), Organisation Ouest Africaine de la Santé (OOAS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina FasoCorrespondence: Aristide Romaric BadoDépartement Biomédical et Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, 03 BP 7192 Ouagadougou 03, Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoTel +22670783381Email arbado@gmail.comIntroduction: It is necessary to understand religious leaders’ perceptions of modern contraceptive use and their role in influencing fertility behaviour for the successful adoption of family planning, especially in societies where the religious leaders’ opinions can have a significant influence on individuals’ reproductive decisions. This study, therefore, aimed to assess religious leaders’ knowledge of family planning and their involvement in family planning programmes in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso.Methods: This is a qualitative study comprising in-depth individual interviews with twenty-one religious’ leaders in the town of Dori in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso. An interview guide was used for data collection. This interview guide was developed based on the central themes and sub-themes determined for the research, namely, the religious leaders’ knowledge of modern contraception, the inclusion of information on modern contraception during religious activities and the relationship between religious leaders and reproductive health services. All interviews were recorded and transcribed in French using Microsoft Word. The verbatims were then coded for content analysis. The analysis method chosen was that of thematic analysis.Results: The results of the study showed that religious leaders had good knowledge about family planning including modern contraceptive methods and fertility regulation through birth spacing. Regarding their involvement in family planning programme, religious leaders said they were not involved enough. However, the results of the study showed that leaders are reluctant to promote the use of FP methods.Conclusion: Although religious leaders are knowledgeable about family planning, they are still reluctant to promote the use of modern contraceptive methods in their communities. To do so, efforts are needed to sensitise and mobilise them in family planning programmes. The cooperation of local religious leaders will help promote family planning and improve Burkina Faso’s performance on the Sustainable Development Goals through the achievement of the demographic dividend in the country.Keywords: religious leaders, family planning, knowledge, involvement, Sahel region, Burkina Faso

Details

ISSN :
11791527
Volume :
12
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Open Access Journal of Contraception
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....687f5fbc4290fc72f4722fd7f2223eb1
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2147/oajc.s315395