Factors influencing the acceptability and utilization of contraceptives among women of reproductive age: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Improving reproductive health outcomes depends on women of reproductive age accepting and using contraceptives. Despite the advantages of contraceptives, many women of reproductive-age who wish to prevent pregnancy do not use any kind of contraceptives, and many have unmet contraceptive needs that result in unwanted pregnancies and it’s associated problems. Aim: The aim of this systematic review is to examine the factors influencing women of reproductive age's acceptance and utilization of contraceptives. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA 2020) guided this review. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, AJOL, Scopus, Google Scholar, and reference lists for studies on women of reproductive age published between 2014 and 2024. The search, carried out from October 2 to October 10, 2024, used MeSH terms and PICO- framework and yielded 1,557 records. Screening occurred in three stages: title and abstract review, full-text assessment, and final selection using predefined eligibility criteria. A total of 19 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Data was extracted based on the study characteristics. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist was used to appraise the methodological quality of the studies.