Survey of nearly 10,000 women maps contraceptive use in Lagos

A large survey of women of reproductive age in Lagos, Nigeria, has found that 63% were using a contraceptive method at the time of the study, while about 27% reported having intentionally delayed a pregnancy. The findings come from a descriptive cross-sectional study of 9,988 women aged 15 to 49 years, published in the journal Contraception and Reproductive Medicine.

The study was designed to document population-level contraceptive trends and pregnancy postponement in Lagos, a megacity where rapid urbanization and socioeconomic diversity shape reproductive behavior. The researchers note that despite Nigeria’s progress in family planning policy, subnational variations remain poorly documented, particularly in large urban centers such as Lagos.

Data were drawn through a multistage cluster sampling method across Lagos State’s five administrative divisions. Participants answered a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from national demographic surveys. The analysis combined descriptive, bivariate and multivariate approaches, carried out using IBM SPSS version 26.0, to identify predictors of contraceptive use and of pregnancy postponement.

The most commonly used contraceptives were male condoms, reported by 29% of respondents, followed by implants at 20% and injectables at 18%. Over 90% of the women surveyed reported being married or in a union.

Pregnancy delay was associated with several factors, including age, marital status, education level and ethnicity. In the multivariate analysis, women with primary education had higher odds of currently delaying pregnancy than women with no formal education, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.10 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.18 to 3.74. Women with secondary education were more likely to report having ever delayed a pregnancy.

The authors conclude that in Lagos, continued reliance on traditional contraceptive methods despite widespread awareness, particularly among less-educated women, suggests gaps in access to effective modern contraception and accurate reproductive health information. They argue this underscores the need for targeted family planning interventions.

As a descriptive cross-sectional survey, the study captures a snapshot of self-reported behavior at a single point in time and identifies associations rather than demonstrating causal effects. The authors describe the article as an early-release, peer-reviewed accepted version that remains subject to further edits before the final version of record.

Subject of Research: Contraceptive use and pregnancy postponement among women of reproductive age in Lagos, Nigeria

Article Title: Patterns of contraceptive use and pregnancy postponement by women of reproductive age in Lagos, Nigeria

Article References: Aderibigbe, A. A., Fagbemi, T., Tettehfio, P., & Wright, K. O. (2026). Patterns of contraceptive use and pregnancy postponement by women of reproductive age in Lagos, Nigeria. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-026-00485-5

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s40834-026-00485-5

Keywords: contraception, Lagos, Nigeria, family planning, reproductive health, pregnancy postponement, cross-sectional study, implants, male condoms, education, women's health, Patterns