Socio-Cultural Determinants of Attitudes Towards Contraceptive Use Among Female Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in the Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State

Joseph Taiye Ezekiel; Ojo Kayode Ayobami PhD

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.12no9.2026.pg129.146

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Socio-Cultural Determinants of Attitudes Towards Contraceptive Use Among Female Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in the Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State

Joseph Taiye Ezekiel, Ojo Kayode Ayobami PhD

Abstract

Female undergraduates in transitional academic environments often navigate reproductive decisions within complex socio-cultural contexts that extend beyond clinical considerations. In the Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State, contraceptive choices are shaped by cultural expectations, stigma, and competing social influences. The study aims to assess how socio- cultural factors shape contraceptive attitudes among female undergraduates. Specifically, it examines religious beliefs, peer group dynamics, and parental expectations as determinants of attitudes, perceptions, and willingness toward modern family planning. The study is anchored on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Diffusion of Innovations, providing a multidimensional explanatory framework. Adopting a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, data were collected from 382 respondents selected through a multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire with established reliability guided data collection, while regression and Chi-square analyses were conducted at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that religious beliefs significantly influence attitudes toward contraceptive use, with doctrinal interpretation playing a central role. Peer group dynamics and parental expectations also showed strong, positive, and significant effects on perception and willingness respectively. The study concludes that contraceptive decisions are socially constructed and deeply influenced by cultural, emotional, and relational factors. It further establishes that effective interventions must integrate cultural sensitivity and social realities into reproductive health strategies. It is recommended that institutions adopt culturally responsive programs, promote peer education, and strengthen parent-student communication to improve informed contraceptive decisions. These measures will enhance awareness, reduce misconceptions, and support safer reproductive health outcomes overall.

Keywords

Contraceptive attitudesFamily expectationsPeer influencereligious beliefssociocultural factors

References

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Socio-Cultural Determinants of Attitudes Towards Contraceptive Use Among Female Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in the Southern Senatorial District of Plateau State

Abstract

Keywords

References

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