The Role of Religion in Shaping Attitudes Toward Family Planning in Kano State

Family planning adoption in northern Nigeria remains significantly below national targets, with religious belief systems widely cited as a primary barrier among Muslim-majority populations. This study investigates the role of religion in shaping attitudes toward family planning among married couples in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with structured questionnaires administered to 400 married respondents, equally divided between men and women, across Kano Municipal, Fagge, and Gwale local government areas. In-depth interviews were also conducted with six Islamic scholars representing diverse jurisprudential positions on contraception. The Social Construction Theory was applied in analyzing how religious discourse frames reproductive decision-making. Results reveal that 68% of female and 74% of male respondents cited religious prohibition as the primary reason for non-adoption of modern contraceptives. However, Islamic scholars interviewed demonstrated significant diversity in opinion, with four of six stating that Islam permits contraception for legitimate spacing purposes while two maintained categorical opposition. Respondents who had received family planning information from a trusted Islamic source demonstrated adoption rates 3.2 times higher than those whose exposure came exclusively from health workers. Spousal disagreement driven by differential religious interpretation was identified as a significant barrier for women who personally favored contraceptive use. Recommendations include partnership with progressive Islamic scholars to deliver faith-consistent family planning messaging and integration of reproductive health education into mosque-based adult education programs. Keywords: family planning, religion, Kano State, Islamic jurisprudence, reproductive health.