RNSystematic ReviewNursing & health sciences2026

Evidence on the Reasons and Factors Influencing Contraceptive Nonutilization Among Women of Childbearing Age in Suburban Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.

Tinyiko Violet Baloyi, Edith Madela-Mntla, Evans Duah and 4 others

PMID 41454452

WHAT IT FOUND

Across seven studies, women's contraceptive nonuse was reported alongside fear of side effects, misinformation, partner or cultural pressure, provider attitudes, and access barriers.

Nurses in suburban reproductive care can ask about these concerns directly.

Key findings

01Fear of side effects and embodied experiences was reported in six of the seven included studies as the most significant factor for contraceptive nonuse.

02Lack of knowledge and misinformation was reported in five included studies as the second most common factor, including misconceptions about side effects and infertility.

03Health system barriers included lack of counseling, negative provider attitudes toward adolescents and unmarried women, limited contraceptive options, and poor access to clinics.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs

Read the rest of this summary

You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.

Already have one?

What it does not show

Only seven studies were included, so the range of reasons may be incomplete. All studies were in suburban settings in sub-Saharan Africa, so findings may not apply to urban or rural areas. The review relied on published peer-reviewed articles and may have missed unpublished or gray literature. The included studies were cross-sectional, qualitative, or mixed-methods, not tests of interventions, so they cannot show what improves uptake. No patients or public were involved in the review.

Declared interests

The authors reported no funding and no conflicts of interest.

The easy way to misread this

Do not read these themes as tested causes or proof that counseling increases contraceptive use. The review included seven cross-sectional, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies in suburban sub-Saharan Africa and did not test an intervention.

Read it on PubMed →