Page 68 - IJPS-10-1

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

participants, let alone the rural dwellers as they may find Nigerians, considering that the confirmed cases in Nigeria
themselves in similar conditions. They had to resort to and the fatality rates reported in America and some European
unprotected sexual intercourse — common among youths countries were always maintained at high levels. The narratives
who are not married — which carries an imminent health risk, of the patent medicine dealers suggest that the fear induced
as deprivation of sex protection catalyzes the transmission abstinence from medical facilities among the rural people
of STDs and other related infections in a community. The as they thought they would contract the virus there. The
exorbitant prices of contraceptives had driven many to adopt implication, therefore, is that many people never used SRH
the withdrawal method (i.e., pulling out before ejaculation products or they resorted to unhygienic means for care. This
during sexual intercourse), which, if proficiently mastered, will invariably increase the number of people who resort to
is wrongfully thought to deliver the same contraceptive self-care (the practice of an individual or family encouraging
and protective effect as condom. However, condom and sustaining health without the support of a qualified
discontinuation could lead to increased number of teenage healthcare provider) as it is known that dearth of recognized
pregnancy and STDs in the rural areas. Furthermore, some healthcare prompts many women to self-administer SRH
of the participants were of the view that in some occasions, care. A patent medicine dealer explained that:
SRH products were not readily available at the street vendors “Ordinarily, many women and men come here to buy
that were opened because of supply shortage caused by the sanitary pads, condoms, and even to treat STDs. Some
disrupted supply chain of the products during pandemic woman even come here for advice and directions on
lockdown. A participant noted that she had to use soft clothing antenatal issues. But with the outbreak of COVID-19
material in place of sanitary pad during menses because “pads and the subsequent lockdown, everything changed. We
were not always available here and it’s costly at times” (PP2, noticed a drastic reduction in the number of persons that
female, 21 years old). This is an unhygienic practice that could come for these aforementioned products and services.”
attract diseases and infections. A worrying reality is that (PP35, male, 35 years old, patent medicine dealer)
many people were practicing as such because this particular
respondent also confirmed that some of her friends engaged Similarly, a female patent medicine dealer was also of
in such practice too. the opinion that the fear of contracting COVID-19 had
kept many who used to patronize her store away because
Result also indicates that there was a reduction in the few that visited her shop cited such fear as the prime reason.
number of women seeking antenatal and postnatal care.
Two of the participants who were pregnant opined that “Many people were scared of the virus and I know
many women in their neighborhood, including themselves, this was the reason for the reduction in the number
were scared of seeking care from hospitals or other health of people who come to request for condoms, pads,
facilities because they were afraid of contracting COVID-19 and for other treatment. Although some people
while seeking medical consultation there. One of the women complained that the prices of things were high. The
stated that: “I was meant to go for antenatal checks with my lockdown also affected those who usually come from
friend the other day but we did not go again because of fear far places to access SRH services and products here
of COVID” (PP38, female, 29 years old). Corroborating instead of where they stay.” (PP14, female, 38 years
this, another woman stated that “the way people talk about old, patent medicine dealer)
this COVID-19 made me to avoid hospital. I had this The above narratives show that some people who needed
feeling that once I step into any hospital, I will be infected” SRH care could not access it due to lockdown restriction
(PP11, female, 35 years old). The implication is that the fear and fear. The danger of this kind of scenario is that it will
of contracting COVID-19 significantly reduced women’s exacerbate the problem of SRH in the area as many people will
intention to seek SRH care. This could lead to unassisted adopt unhealthy practices, thereby multiplying the number
deliveries, which are dangerous, and could increase the of persons adopting self-care and self-medication, which
likelihood of maternal or infant mortality as well as birth- increase health risks for the practicing individuals and the
related health complications. population as a whole. As observed earlier, many respondents
reported that they have already adopted withdrawal method
3.2. COVID-19 phobia and the decline in patronage instead of using condom. Engaging in condomless sex is an
of patent medical stores
easy way of contracting and spreading HIV and other STDs.
Most of the patent medicine dealers intimated that they Due to lockdown and limited access to SHR care, many
witnessed low patronages due to the COVID-19 restriction people had resorted to self-medication especially those who
protocols and the perception that medical stores were viewed need to treat STDs and other related case. Self-medication
as conduits for COVID-19 transmission. There is no doubt may negatively impact the health of individuals due to the
that the disease created a lot of fear and anxiety among toxicity arising from the inappropriate use of medicine. This

Volume 10 Issue 1 (2024) 62 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2354