Abstract Sexual knowledge and contraceptive use remain critical public health concerns in Nigeria, particularly among religious communities where moral and doctrinal teachings may influence reproductive health behaviours. Despite high unmet need for family planning, contraceptive prevalence remains low among Christians in Lagos State, suggesting potential gaps between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. This study assessed sexual knowledge and contraceptive use among Christians in Lagos State, Nigeria, and examined the associations between these dimensions and socio-demographic, religious, and doctrinal factors. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed with 600 Christian adults aged 18–49 years recruited from 30 churches across five local government areas in Lagos State using multistage sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) family planning module and the Sexual Health Literacy Assessment Tool. Sexual knowledge was measured with 25 items on reproduction, contraception, STIs, and fertility (scored 0–25). Contraceptive use was assessed via self-reported current use of modern methods (condoms, pills, injectables, implants, IUDs, sterilisation). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi square tests, and multiple logistic regression, controlling for age, gender, education, income, marital status, denominational affiliation, and religious attendance. Participants demonstrated moderate sexual knowledge (M = 16.8, SD = 4.2 out of 25), with 62% correctly identifying at least three modern contraceptive methods and 54% knowing at least three fertility signs. Contraceptive use was low: only 34% reported current use of modern methods, with condoms (18%) and oral contraceptive pills (12%) being most common. Knowledge was significantly higher among university-educated participants (M = 19.2) than those with secondary education or less (M = 14.6; t = 9.34, p < 0.001). Contraceptive use was significantly associated with higher knowledge (adjusted OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.56–3.05, p < 0.001), younger age (18–29 years: aOR = 1.67, p = 0.018), university education (aOR = 2.34, p = 0.001), and lower religious attendance (less than weekly: aOR = 1.89, p = 0.006). Denominational affiliation was significant: Pentecostal/evangelical Christians were less likely to use contraception than mainline Protestants (aOR = 0.58, p = 0.004) and Catholics (aOR = 0.62, p = 0.012), controlling for covariates. Christians in Lagos State demonstrate moderate sexual knowledge but low contraceptive use, with significant variations by education, age, religious attendance, and denominational affiliation. Findings suggest that doctrinal teachings and religious norms mediate the knowledge–practice relationship, highlighting the need for faith sensitive family planning interventions, pastoral training on reproductive health, and integration of contraceptive education within church-based health programmes.

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[24]. 2Correspondence: [Jegede Oluwaseun O. PhD], School of Postgraduate Studies, Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: revsejeg.u@gmail.com

[25]. Conflict of Interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

[26]. Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency.

[27]. Acknowledgements: The author wants to thank the church leaders, community coordinators, and participants in Lagos State for their cooperation and willingness to share their experiences. Special thanks to the research assistants who conducted data collection in English, Yoruba, and Igbo languages.