Traditional contraceptive practices: Survey of medicinal plants used to control birth in selected states in western Nigeria

Although modern family planning practices are actively advocated, there is a considerable reliance on traditional medicines for contraception due to their perceived safety. The open-ended questionnaire used in this study sought to gain insights into birth control practices from traditional providers’ perspectives. Herb sellers, traditional healers and/or herbal practitioners from 17 local government areas in Oyo, Osun, Kwara and Lagos states were interviewed, and consultations for male and female contraception, names of plants, methods of preparation and modes of administration were documented. Among the 120 questionnaires administered via the clustering sampling technique, 109 were recovered. The data collected were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics. 28, 18, 10 and 4 plant species were listed in Kwara, Lagos, Oyo and Osun States, while the most frequently prescribed species for female contraception were Jatropha curcas (22.45%), Mucuna sloanei (27.27%), Carica papaya (33.33%) and C . papaya (46.67%), respectively. The predominant plant families were Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Caricaceae, with 39, 27 and 23 occurrences, respectively. The plant species were mostly prepared in combination forms, with the ring, seeds and leaves being the most common contraceptives given to contraceptive seekers with accompanying instructions. A statistically significant difference existed between the plant form and education level of the respondents, [ꭓ ² = 5.642, df = 1, p = < 0.018], and the contraceptive seekers, [ꭓ ² = 11.862, df = 1, p = 0.001], but not between the plant form and respondent status, route of administration and side effects. Further investigations need to be carried out to validate and understand the mechanisms of herbal contraceptives.