Contraceptive use has been studied globally and in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence abounds
in the literature concerning high knowledge of contraceptives and low use for various
reasons. This study used a qualitative design to explore the experiences related to modern
contraceptive use among fishermen and their partners in the Accra Metropolitan Area.
Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were held with purposively selected
fishermen, their leaders and partners between 15-59 years. Thematic content analysis was
used to analyze the data. Eight major themes and 21 sub-themes emerged from the data.
The key findings included participants‟ high knowledge of contraceptives and minimal use
attributable to a multiplicity of factors including myths and fallacies, entrenched cultural
beliefs relating to pronatalism, religious beliefs and beliefs concerning moral decadence on
the part of women. Knowledge about female condom and permanent contraception was
low among men and women; a few men had a strong aversion for permanent
contraception. Most participants could not connect condom use with the prevention of
sexually transmitted infection (STI). The men who used condom complained bitterly of
lack of sensitivity during coitus. Emergency contraception was known by a few but
wrongly utilized. In conclusion, although the fishermen and their partners had knowledge
about contraceptives, the overarching reasons for non-use were some entrenched beliefs,
attitudes they had developed towards contraception and erroneous ideas from oral
tradition. It is recommended that behavioural change communication be reinforced by
Community Health Nurses working in the fishing community coupled with communitybased
distribution of free condoms. Also, family planning could be highly subsidized to
defray some cost borne by users.