Systemic Effects on Access to and Utilization of Quality Contraceptive Services by Women of Reproductive age During Covid-19 Pandemics in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The indirect health impacts include diversion or depletion of resources to provide routine care and decreased access to routine care resulting from an inability to travel due to restriction, fear, or other factors. This paper presents the findings of a cross-sectional quantitative study exploring systemic effects on access to and utilization of quality contraceptive services by women of reproductive age during the Covid-19 pandemic in Oyo State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 471 users of users of MNCH services (postnatal clinic and family planning services and immunization uptakes) that responded to 43 structured questionnaires that included socio-demographical characteristics, knowledge of contraceptive products and service availability, contraceptive supplies, access and utilization, health system opportunities and challenges amidst Covid-19 pandemics. Of the 471 respondents, the mean age of respondents was 29.63± 3.29years, with (34.2%) within 26-30 years age group. Majorly self-employed/business (74.9%), (91.1%) Yorubas ethnicity. Only 49.2% accessed contraceptive services during restrictions; due to overwhelming fear of Covid-19 by (31.7%), and disruption of services (31.1%). Others mentioned cost, restriction in movement, and difficulty in seeing caregivers. With 65.4% of the total respondents currently obtained a method with easy in restrictions. The Chi-square test, on the relationship between respondents’ access to and utilization of contraceptive services with systemic factors shows a significant relationship with p =0.004 during the pandemic. It becomes highly imperative that the family planning program be redesigned to improve the health system as part of the preparedness measures to address gaps due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Keywords: Access and Utilization, Contraceptives, Covid-19 Pandemic, Effects, Systemic.