Reasons for contraceptive nonuse at two sites in Burkina Faso

We examine reasons for contraceptive nonuse in Burkina Faso.

We draw from a population-based survey of 3929 women, of whom 2462 were nonusers of contraception. We use descriptive statistics to examine the distribution of reasons for nonuse.

Over 80% of respondents reported lack of desire or need for contraception as motivating nonuse. Conventional access barriers, like cost or distance, were uncommon.

Restricted access to contraception was not a commonly reported barrier to contraceptive use in this context.

Sexual and reproductive health researchers should avoid assuming that nonusers lack contraceptive access. Future research should explore further reasons for contraceptive nonuse.