Knowledge, Hesitancy and Barriers to Uptake of Irreversible Contraceptives Among Women and Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review

References

[1] J. E. Darroch and G. Sedgh, "Trends in contraceptive use worldwide," Lancet, vol. 396, no. 10258, pp. 1305 1315, 2020.

[2] A. B. Trussell and K. D. L. Guthrie, "Contraceptive efficacy of sterilization," Contraception, vol. 98, no. 4, pp. 268 273, 2018.

[3] WHO, Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, 5th ed., WHO Press, 2015.

[4] UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Contraceptive Use 2022, United Nations, 2022.

[5] C. S. Rossier and J. B. Corker, "Contraceptive sterilization in sub–Saharan Africa," Stud Fam Plann, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 257 276, 2017.

[6] R. J. Jacobstein and J. M. Pile, "Vasectomy: a quiet revolution," Glob Health Sci Pract, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 154 158, 2019.

[7] WHO, Ensuring human rights in the provision of contraceptive information and services, WHO Press, 2014.

[8] N. B. Senderowicz, "Contraceptive hesitancy: a new framework," Stud Fam Plann, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 235 248, 2021.

[9] A. M. Moore and M. J. K. K. Oppong, "Knowledge and attitudes toward permanent contraception in Ghana," Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health, vol. 45, pp. 21 32, 2019.

[10] L. M. T. D. Silva et al., "Barriers to female sterilization in Brazil," Reprod Health, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 82, 2020.

[11] O. O. Oluwole and F. E. Adeyemo, "Knowledge of tubal ligation among women in Southwest Nigeria," Afr J Reprod Health, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 45 53, 2019.

[12] P. S. K. Sharma and R. K. Adhikari, "Misconceptions about vasectomy in Nepal," BMC Public Health, vol. 19, p. 1245, 2019.

[13] S. N. G. Ahmed and H. M. Ibrahim, "Fear of regret and sterilization uptake in Egypt," J Biosoc Sci, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 412 425, 2020.

[14] J. O. Odimegwu and C. O. Okonkwo, "Partner opposition to female sterilization in Nigeria," J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 112 119, 2018.

[15] M. L. K. E. N. Asaolu and B. O. Ayoola, "Health system barriers to vasectomy in sub Saharan Africa," Glob Health Action, vol. 14, no. 1, 1917890, 2021.

[16] D. K. Adjei and E. T. Tetteh, "Provider refusal of sterilization in Ghana," Contraception, vol. 101, no. 5, pp. 332 337, 2020.

[17] H. A. S. S. Al Ali and R. S. Al Mutairi, "Knowledge of permanent contraception among Saudi women," Int J Womens Health, vol. 12, pp. 891 900, 2020.

[18] R. S. Bednarczyk and A. R. Orenstein, "Hesitancy frameworks: from vaccines to contraceptives," Hum Vaccin Immunother, vol. 17, no. 7, pp. 2143 2150, 2021.

[19] B. R. K. S. T. S. Shrestha and P. Acharya, "Policy barriers to vasectomy in South Asia," Health Policy Plan, vol. 35, no. 8, pp. 987 996, 2020.

[20] H. Arksey and L. O'Malley, "Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework," Int J Soc Res Methodol, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 19 32, 2005.

[21] J. T. Bertrand and R. J. Jacobstein, "Barriers to sterilization uptake: a review," Contraception, vol. 98, no. 6, pp. 456 462, 2018.

[22] E. M. K. Okello and P. O. Omondi, "Vasectomy in low resource settings: a systematic review," BMJ Glob Health, vol. 5, no. 8, e002789, 2020.

@article{1716780,
      author = {Idowu Tolulope Oluwaseun, Dr. Abiodun - Ojo Olubukola Esther, Dr. Fadare Risikat Idowu},
      title = {Knowledge, Hesitancy and Barriers to Uptake of Irreversible Contraceptives Among Women and Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {9},
      number = {10},
      pages = {2657-2664},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1716780.pdf},
      abstract = {Irreversible contraceptives (female sterilization and vasectomy) are safe, cost effective, and highly effective methods of family planning, yet global uptake remains low (2 5% in many low  and middle income countries) compared to 15 25% in high income settings. This scoping review maps existing evidence on knowledge, hesitancy, and barriers to uptake of irreversible contraceptives among women and healthcare providers. Following Arksey and O'Malley's framework, we searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and African Journals Online (2015 2025). Fifty three studies met inclusion criteria. Key findings: Knowledge gaps were pervasive—only 28 45% of women understood that irreversible methods do not cause cancer or weight gain, and 35 50% of providers could correctly counsel on vasectomy. Hesitancy dimensions included fear of regret (reported in 68% of studies), partner opposition (62%), religious/cultural prohibitions (54%), and concerns about surgical pain (48%). Barriers at health system level included lack of trained providers (72% of studies), absence of equipment/consumables (58%), and high out of pocket costs (44%). Only 19% of studies evaluated interventions to address barriers, and only 12% measured uptake as a primary outcome. Major gaps include underrepresentation of male partners (only 16% of studies included men), absence of validated hesitancy measurement tools, and lack of implementation research on provider focused interventions. This review highlights the need for multi level interventions addressing knowledge deficits, provider biases, and health system constraints.},
      keywords = {Irreversible Contraceptives, Female Sterilization, Vasectomy, Knowledge, Hesitancy, Barriers, Uptake, Scoping Review},
      month = {April},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I10-1716780}
  }