Community influences on modern contraceptive use among young women in low and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional multi-country analysis
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Norms related to ideal family size, early marriage, and gender roles—particularly those that limit women’s autonomy—act as major barriers to contraceptive use. Changing these norms through community-wide interventions, education, and women’s empowerment is essential for increasing contraceptive access and supporting young women’s reproductive agency. Objectives: This study examined how community-level characteristics […]
Collective norms and modern contraceptive use in men and women: A multilevel analysis of DHS Program data in Nigeria and Zambia
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study highlights the powerful role of collective social norms—especially those related to fertility—in shaping modern contraceptive use among both men and women in Nigeria and Zambia. In both countries, higher community-level fertility norms (i.e., desire for larger families) were consistently associated with lower contraceptive use for both genders. However, gender […]
Association of collective attitudes and contraceptive practice in nine sub-Saharan African countries
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Community-level gender norms—specifically permissive attitudes toward premarital sex and accepting attitudes toward wife-beating—significantly influence contraceptive use and demand satisfaction among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Permissive norms are associated with greater contraceptive use, while norms accepting wife-beating are linked to lower use. Addressing these norms is key to improving reproductive health outcomes. […]
Adolescents’ utilization of reproductive health services in Kaduna, Nigeria: the role of stigma
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study illustrates how deeply embedded religious and cultural norms in Kaduna, Nigeria, create stigma around adolescent sexual activity and the use of sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS). These norms, which equate premarital sex with immorality, result in strong community disapproval and internalized shame among adolescents—particularly girls. Adolescents fear being […]
A Qualitative Study of Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in Nigeria
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study reveals how deeply rooted patriarchal and cultural norms in Nigeria contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV). Women are expected to be submissive, defer to husbands and in-laws, and endure abuse for the sake of family honor and children. These norms discourage help-seeking and normalize suffering. Effective prevention must directly […]