Speeches by health providers on family planning in Matamèye, Niger

Purpose: To explore health workers' perceptions of their role in promoting family planning in Matamèye, as well as the barriers and facilitators to the acceptance and use of modern contraceptive methods. Materials and Methods: An inductive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with three health professionals. Thematic analysis, supported by the social ecology model, identified the individual, social, and institutional dynamics at work. Findings: The interviewed workers demonstrate a strong commitment to family planning. They note growing acceptance among women, but face persistent obstacles: family opposition, rumors, religious pressure, shortages, and work overload. Facilitating factors include the continued availability of services and greater awareness of the risks of closely spaced pregnancies. Professionals recommend free services, better listening to women, ongoing staff training, and the involvement of community leaders. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The findings suggest that improving access and acceptability requires a multi-pronged approach: investing in continuous training and recruitment of health staff, ensuring consistent supply of contraceptives, and removing financial barriers through free services. Moreover, the involvement of men, community leaders, and religious authorities is essential to counter rumors and resistance. By integrating these actors and adapting strategies to the local sociocultural context, reproductive health policies can achieve greater effectiveness and sustainability in promoting family planning in Niger