The study ascertained the barriers to contraceptive use among rural farmers
in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data obtained from one hundred and sixty rural farmers, using
multi-stage sampling procedure, were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and
ranks. Results show that 51.3% of the respondents, with an average age of 40 years, were
females and 73.1% were married; majority of the respondents (96.2%) had formal education
with an average monthly income of N28, 500.50 and an average of 36 years of farming
experience. Findings also show that the most utilized contraceptive methods by the rural
farmers were barrier methods (condoms, diaphragm), hormonal contraceptives (pills) and
abstinence; lack of information on effective use of contraceptives, perceived negative side
effects of contraceptive use and lack of required skills for effective use of contraceptives were
the most severe barriers to contraceptive use faced by the respondents. The State
Government, Non-Governmental Organizations, Community-based organizations as well as
other development agencies in Akwa Ibom State should organize enlightenment programmes
on contraceptive use specifically targeted at rural areas of the State in order to help
overcome the major barriers to contraceptive use faced by rural farmers in the State.