“Everyone has their own problems and realities so the religious community cannot judge someone.” Contraception motivations and perceived consequences among young contraceptive users who practice a religion in Burkina Faso
Outcomes: Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Religious norms in Burkina Faso commonly frame contraception as sinful or unacceptable—especially for unmarried women and for limiting births—creating strong injunctive norms against contraceptive use. However, young women often prioritize their health, economic realities, and fear of stigma from premarital pregnancy over these religious prescriptions. Because contraception is viewed as a private behavior that can be hidden from communities, social sanctions are limited, allowing women to navigate and sometimes circumvent restrictive religious norms.
Objectives The study aimed to explore how young women who practice religion in Burkina Faso interpret religious teachings related to contraception and how these interpretations influence their contraceptive decision-making and perceptions of potential consequences from their religious communities.
Methods This qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews with 24 young women aged 18–24 who were current users of modern contraception and practicing members of Catholic, Protestant, or Muslim communities in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. Participants were recruited with assistance from community health workers. Interviews explored contraceptive experiences, perceived religious norms, and influences on contraceptive decision-making. Data were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to religion, motivations for contraceptive use, and perceived community consequences.
Results Participants generally believed their religions opposed contraceptive use, often framing it as interfering with God’s will or “killing children.” Religious norms strongly condemned premarital sex, meaning unmarried women were not expected to use contraception at all. Despite this, women reported using contraception for practical reasons. Married women cited financial pressures, the need to space births, and maternal and child health concerns. Unmarried women primarily used contraception to avoid unintended pregnancies that could lead to family dishonor, stigma, or expulsion from the household. Some participants noted limited exceptions within religious discourse, such as acceptance of traditional methods or spacing births for married couples, particularly among Muslims. Most women perceived few direct sanctions from religious communities because contraceptive use is typically hidden; at most, they expected counseling, advice, or minor community disapproval if discovered.
Conclusions Although religious norms strongly discourage contraceptive use, many young women navigate these restrictions by prioritizing practical concerns related to health, economic stability, and social reputation. The private nature of contraceptive use reduces the influence of community sanctions, enabling women to act on individual motivations despite perceived normative opposition. Recognizing that women may adopt contraception even without religious support suggests opportunities for programs and communication strategies to shift community norms and improve acceptance of family planning that aligns with women’s and families’ real-life needs.
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