Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi; Akaninyene Eseme Ubom; Emeka Philip Igbodike; Ernest Okechuwu Orji

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18

| Peer-Reviewed

Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi, Akaninyene Eseme Ubom, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ernest Okechuwu Orji

Published in Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Volume 9, Issue 6)

Received: 19 November 2021 Accepted: 6 December 2021 Published: 24 December 2021

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, globally. This study sought to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to contraception amongst reproductive age women in Nigeria, and make recommendations that will improve access. A cross-sectional survey of sexually active, reproductive age women on modern methods of contraception was conducted in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire designed using the free software Google Forms^® was utilised for the study. The questionnaire was electronically administered. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. One-fourth (73, 24.7%) of the respondents reported difficult access to contraception, citing fear of COVID-19 exposure at the health facility (21, 28.8%) as the most common reason for this difficulty. Forced abstinence from sexual intercourse (28, 38.4%) and unintended pregnancy (21, 28.8%) were the most common consequences of impeded contraceptive access. Women using short-acting methods were significantly more likely than those on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to report difficult access to contraception (35.1% vs. 14.6%, P=0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to contraception in Nigeria, affecting more women on short acting methods than those on LARC, with the potential of increasing unintended pregnancy and abortion rates.

Published in	Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Volume 9, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18
Page(s)	231-236
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Access, Contraception, COVID-19, Family Planning, Nigeria, Women’s Health

References

[1]	Africa Centre for Disease Control. Outbreak Brief 65: COVID-19 Pandemic. 2021. www.africacdc.org. Accessed 15 April 2021.
[2]	Adesunkanmi AO, Ubom AE, Olasehinde O, Wuraola FO, Ijarotimi OA, Okon NE, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Residency Training: Perspective from a Low-Middle Income Country. World J Surg. 2020; 45 (1): 10-17.
[3]	Premium Times. COVID-19: Schools to remain closed until January 18 – Nigerian govt. 22 December 2020. Accessed 15 April 2021.
[4]	Negopdiev D, Collaborative C, Hoste E. Elective surgery cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic: global predictive modelling to inform surgical recovery plans. Br J Surg. 2020; 107 (11): 1440-9.
[5]	Aly J, Haeger KO, Christy A, Johnson AM. Contraception access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contracept Reprod Med. 2020; 5: 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-020-00114-9.
[6]	Riley T, Sully E, Ahmed Z, Biddlecom A. Estimates of the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health in low-and middle-income countries. Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2020; 46: 73-6.
[7]	Yuksel B, Ozgor F. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on female sexual behaviour. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2020; 150 (1): 98-102.
[8]	Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family planning and ending gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and child marriage. In: Interim Technical Note. New York: United Nations Population Fund; 2020. p. 1-7.
[9]	Cousins S. COVID-19 has “devastating” effect on women and girls. The Lancet 2020; 396 (10247): 301-2.
[10]	National Population Commission [Nigeria] and ICF International. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF International.
[11]	World Health Organization. Trends in maternal mortality: 1990-2015: estimates from WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division. World Health Organization; 2015.
[12]	Assembly G. United Nations: Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. UN: New York, NY, USA. 2015.
[13]	Bolarinwa OA, Olagunju OS. Knowledge and factors influencing long-acting reversible contraceptives use among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Gates Open Res. 2019; 3.
[14]	Onwujekwe OE, Enemuoh JC, Ogbonna C, Mbachu C, Uzochukwu BS, Lawson A, Ndyanabangi B. Are modern contraceptives acceptable to people and where do they source them from across Nigeria?. BMC Int Health Hum Rights 2013; 13 (1): 1-0.
[15]	Babalola S, Oyenubi O. Factors explaining the North–South differentials in contraceptive use in Nigeria: A nonlinear decomposition analysis. Demogr Res. 2018; 38: 287-308.
[16]	Baschieri A, Cleland J, Floyd S, Dube A, Msona, A, Molesworth A, et al. Reproductive preferences and contraceptive use: A comparison of monogamous and polygamous couples in northern Malawi. J Biosoc Sci. 2013; 45 (2): 145.
[17]	Monjok E, Smesny A, Ekabua JE, Essien EJ. Contraceptive practices in Nigeria: Literature review and recommendation for future policy decisions. Open Access J Contracept. 2010; 1: 9-22.
[18]	National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ICF International. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2013. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF International 2014.
[19]	Otoide VO, Oronsaye F, Okonofua FE. Why Nigerian adolescents seek abortion rather than contraception: Evidence from focus-group discussions. Int Fam Plan Perspect. 2001; 27 (2): 77–81.
[20]	Abiodun OM, Balogun OR. Sexual activity and contraceptive use among young female students of tertiary educational institution in Ilorin, Nigeria. Contraception 2009; 79: 146–149. q.
[21]	World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Contraception and family planning [Internet]. Q and A. 2020. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-COVID-19-contraception-and-family-planning. Accessed 21 April 2021.
[22]	Ferreira-Filho ES, de Melo NR, Sorpreso IC, Bahamondes L, Simões RD, Soares-Júnior JM, Baracat EC. Contraception and reproductive planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2020; 13 (6): 615-22.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi, Akaninyene Eseme Ubom, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ernest Okechuwu Orji. (2021). Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria. Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 9(6), 231-236. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi; Akaninyene Eseme Ubom; Emeka Philip Igbodike; Ernest Okechuwu Orji. Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria. J. Gynecol. Obstet. 2021, 9(6), 231-236. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi, Akaninyene Eseme Ubom, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ernest Okechuwu Orji. Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria. J Gynecol Obstet. 2021;9(6):231-236. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18,
  author = {Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi and Akaninyene Eseme Ubom and Emeka Philip Igbodike and Ernest Okechuwu Orji},
  title = {Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria},
  journal = {Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics},
  volume = {9},
  number = {6},
  pages = {231-236},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jgo.20210906.18},
  abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, globally. This study sought to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to contraception amongst reproductive age women in Nigeria, and make recommendations that will improve access. A cross-sectional survey of sexually active, reproductive age women on modern methods of contraception was conducted in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire designed using the free software Google Forms® was utilised for the study. The questionnaire was electronically administered. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. One-fourth (73, 24.7%) of the respondents reported difficult access to contraception, citing fear of COVID-19 exposure at the health facility (21, 28.8%) as the most common reason for this difficulty. Forced abstinence from sexual intercourse (28, 38.4%) and unintended pregnancy (21, 28.8%) were the most common consequences of impeded contraceptive access. Women using short-acting methods were significantly more likely than those on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to report difficult access to contraception (35.1% vs. 14.6%, P=0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to contraception in Nigeria, affecting more women on short acting methods than those on LARC, with the potential of increasing unintended pregnancy and abortion rates.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria
AU - Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi
AU - Akaninyene Eseme Ubom
AU - Emeka Philip Igbodike
AU - Ernest Okechuwu Orji
Y1 - 2021/12/24
PY - 2021
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18
DO - 10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18
T2 - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JF - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JO - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
SP - 231
EP - 236
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2376-7820
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18
AB - The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, globally. This study sought to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to contraception amongst reproductive age women in Nigeria, and make recommendations that will improve access. A cross-sectional survey of sexually active, reproductive age women on modern methods of contraception was conducted in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire designed using the free software Google Forms® was utilised for the study. The questionnaire was electronically administered. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. One-fourth (73, 24.7%) of the respondents reported difficult access to contraception, citing fear of COVID-19 exposure at the health facility (21, 28.8%) as the most common reason for this difficulty. Forced abstinence from sexual intercourse (28, 38.4%) and unintended pregnancy (21, 28.8%) were the most common consequences of impeded contraceptive access. Women using short-acting methods were significantly more likely than those on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to report difficult access to contraception (35.1% vs. 14.6%, P=0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to contraception in Nigeria, affecting more women on short acting methods than those on LARC, with the potential of increasing unintended pregnancy and abortion rates.
VL - 9
IS - 6
ER -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi

Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Perinatology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Akaninyene Eseme Ubom

Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Perinatology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Emeka Philip Igbodike

Georges Memorial Medical Centre, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, Nigeria
Ernest Okechuwu Orji

Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Perinatology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi, Akaninyene Eseme Ubom, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ernest Okechuwu Orji. (2021). Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria. Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 9(6), 231-236. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi; Akaninyene Eseme Ubom; Emeka Philip Igbodike; Ernest Okechuwu Orji. Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria. J. Gynecol. Obstet. 2021, 9(6), 231-236. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi, Akaninyene Eseme Ubom, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ernest Okechuwu Orji. Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria. J Gynecol Obstet. 2021;9(6):231-236. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18,
  author = {Omotade Adebimpe Ijarotimi and Akaninyene Eseme Ubom and Emeka Philip Igbodike and Ernest Okechuwu Orji},
  title = {Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences of Disrupted Access to Contraception in Nigeria},
  journal = {Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics},
  volume = {9},
  number = {6},
  pages = {231-236},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20210906.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jgo.20210906.18},
  abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, globally. This study sought to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to contraception amongst reproductive age women in Nigeria, and make recommendations that will improve access. A cross-sectional survey of sexually active, reproductive age women on modern methods of contraception was conducted in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire designed using the free software Google Forms® was utilised for the study. The questionnaire was electronically administered. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 24. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. One-fourth (73, 24.7%) of the respondents reported difficult access to contraception, citing fear of COVID-19 exposure at the health facility (21, 28.8%) as the most common reason for this difficulty. Forced abstinence from sexual intercourse (28, 38.4%) and unintended pregnancy (21, 28.8%) were the most common consequences of impeded contraceptive access. Women using short-acting methods were significantly more likely than those on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to report difficult access to contraception (35.1% vs. 14.6%, P=0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to contraception in Nigeria, affecting more women on short acting methods than those on LARC, with the potential of increasing unintended pregnancy and abortion rates.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download