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.