Page 65 - IJPS-10-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Access to sexual and reproductive health services

health and economy. In Nigeria, the government imposed development globally (Adedini et al., 2015). This has led
a number of measures such as ban on inter-state travel to massive advocate for the need to improve uptake of
to curtail the spread of the virus. Evidence has shown, modern contraceptive methods in the last few decades as a
however, that the global response to the pandemic has way of promoting reproductive rights and gender equality
mainly focused on containing the virus as well as treating (Fagbamigbe, & Ojebuyi, 2017). However, with the outbreak
the infected individuals (International Monetary Fund, of COVID-19, access to contraceptives could be limited by
2021). This demonstrates lapses in the continued provision the restrictive measures put in place to curb the spread of
of SRHs care in many countries. the virus. Containment to prevent the spread of disease
SRH is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and is usually the first approach utilized by the government
social well-being in relation to the reproductive system in response to the escalating cases. In the case where
and processes and not merely the absence of disease or the disease has spread through the community, as with
infirmity (World Health Organization & the Pan American COVID-19, mitigation strategies are deployed to reduce
Health Organization, 2000). Being in an SRH state ensures transmission (Walensky & Del Rio, 2020). Such mitigation
that people are able to have a fulfilling and safe sex life, strategies include but are not limited to social distancing
and access to safe, affordable, and acceptable method measures, closure of workplaces and community facilities,
of family planning and appropriate health services for and travel restrictions. With these mitigation efforts in
safe and smooth pregnancy and childbirth. As a critical place, access to contraception and other SRH services such
aspect of human well-being, SRH has attracted significant as maternal and newborn care services, prevention and
attention of many governments and non-governmental treatment of HIV or other STIs, abortion-related cases, etc.
organizations over the years. However, research shows could be affected as state-level lockdown measures are put
that SRH problems are most prominent in developing in place to curb the transmission process.
countries, especially among adolescents in sub-Saharan The problems of SRH are yet to receive sufficient
Africa where child marriage, adolescent childbearing, attention particularly in the developing countries like
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, and Nigeria. SRH issues in Nigeria are complicated and this
poor exposure to modern contraceptives are prevailing is worse among the young people (Silva, 2015). UNFPA
(Melesse et al., 2020). (2015) reports that one in 20 adolescents contracts a
Before COVID-19 outbreak, access to quality STI each year in Nigeria, and that people under the age
reproductive health services had already been a big challenge of 25 years account for half of all cases of HIV infection.
especially in less developed countries (Ninsiima et al., This might be a result of early sexual engagement and early
2021). Notwithstanding the global promotion of availability marriage, which increase adolescents’ HIV vulnerability
of SRH services, these services are still in short supply in (Odo et al., 2018). This sort of sexual behavior may have
most rural areas (Denno et al., 2015). This challenge is implications in a pandemic of this nature. Teenage and
disturbing, especially for women and adolescent. In sub- unwanted pregnancies are a common factor in Nigeria.
Saharan Africa, the rate of increase in the SRH problems, Abortion is clandestinely carried out in Nigeria too. Even
especially among young people in the region, is alarming though, the abortion law and policy in Nigeria proscribes
(Asante, 2013). The study shows that adolescents face access to legal abortion services, approximately 1.25 million
numerous substantial SRH challenges such as “limited commit induced abortion yearly by unskilled health-care
access to youth-friendly services including information on providers (Ipas, 2017). This portends significant enough
growth, unsafe abortion, gender-based violence, sexuality, danger for women reproductive health and well-being
and family planning” in sub-Saharan Africa (Ninsiima as lockdown measures may further limit access to post-
et al., 2021, p2). This has resulted in risky sexual behavior abortion care services needed in cases of complications.
with subsequent increase in cases of sexually transmitted On the basis of these perceived problems related to SRH in
infections (STI) and HIV prevalence among young people, Nigeria, this study assessed the availability and accessibility
early pregnancy, and delivery complications, leading to of SRH services amidst COVID-19 lockdown in rural area
high mortality (Sogarwal et al., 2013). This underscores of Enugu State, Nigeria. As Marrone et al. (2015) had
the need for increased attention toward SRH as there is the reported, a number of sociodemographic factors influence
likelihood that the outbreak of COVID-19 will exacerbate both geographical and financial accessibility to SRH
the already poor condition of the SRH in the region. services by the adolescents in low- and medium-income
Modern-day contraceptive use has been significantly countries. The need for availability and accessibility of
recognized to be one of the most effective ways of promoting quality and affordable SRHS is paramount as it ensures
reproductive health and stimulating socioeconomic SRH well-being (Enwereji, & Enwereji, 2013).

Volume 10 Issue 1 (2024) 59 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2354