Use of a media campaign to improve access to contraception in Nigeria amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction: The total lockdown used to curtail COVID-19 infection in Nigeria disrupted access to contraception. Society for Family Health facilitated access to sexual reproductive healthcare information through an Omni-media campaign during the COVID-19 lockdown. The effect of this campaign was subsequently assessed.

Methods: The cross-sectional survey was done among 3200 respondents, 15-49 years old from Lagos, Kano, Oyo and Kaduna states. Data were analysed using the SPSS V.21. Level of statistical significance was set at p value <0.05.

Results: 41% of the respondents were aware of the campaign and 31.8% were directly reached with the messages. Oral contraceptive pills were the most heard-about contraception type (82.9%), and where to get contraception during the lockdown was the most common message (44.2%). Of those reached with the messages, 346 procured at least one form of contraceptive method, and 303 of these persons procured online. Respondents ≤34 years were more likely to procure contraception online compared with the older age groups (OR=3.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.52, p<0.003), unmarried respondents were more likely to procure contraception online compared with the married ones (OR=5.31, 95% CI 1.11-1.32, p<0.001), while respondents residing in the southern part of the country were more likely to procure contraception online compared with those residing in the northern part (OR=23.55, 95% CI 1.18-1.38, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Online channel can be a viable potential avenue for contraceptive access, especially for the unmarried and young people, and the population generally.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Contraception; Omni-media; Online.