Use of modern contraceptives in Lagos Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

We estimated modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) and examined predictors of modern contraceptives utilization amongst 1,445 sampled reproductive age women in Lagos (Nigeria’s epicenter) during the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Estimated mCPR was 30.8%. Women aged 20–29 years were 50% (95%CI:0.37–0.71) less likely to use modern contraceptives during the pandemic than those 30–39 years. Married and divorced women were about three (95%CI:1.37–5.25) and over three (95%CI:1.32–7.79) times more likely to use modern contraceptives compared to single women. Though mCPR has not reduced, sustained contraceptive needs assessment of sometimes obscure sub-populations is required, especially if outbreaks like COVID-19 become our ‘new normal’.