Factors Associated with Women’s Contraceptive Use and Access to Contraceptive Methods During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Due to the pandemic, the use of contraceptive methods in women was restricted, and many of them even faced problems such as abortion and unplanned pregnancy because they could not access the contraceptive methods. Objective: This study aimed to determine women’s use of modern contraceptive methods during the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine the predictors of access to modern contraceptives. Method: Women (n=502) aged 18-49, fertile and using any contraceptive methods were included in the study. Data were collected via an online survey. The use and access to contraceptives during the pandemic were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Multiple regression analysis, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to investigate contraception access difficulties and change predictors. Results: The results of this study indicate that 64.9% of the participants were utilizing modern contraceptive methods, while 23.5% were concerned about obtaining contraceptives during the pandemic. Furthermore, 6% of the women experienced difficulty accessing contraceptives during this period, and 6.2% altered their contraceptive methods. The primary predictor of women’s difficulty in accessing contraceptives during the pandemic was the absence of access to the method prior to the pandemic in a similar manner (OR:40.0 95%CI=12.3-129.9; p=.001). Additionally, It was also found that women who changed their methods during the pandemic had 4.47 times more difficulty in accessing the new method. Conclusion: Having experienced an unintended pregnancy before the pandemic and fear of 48 becoming pregnant during the pandemic were found to be important determinants of the contraceptive change. This study shows evidence that the pandemic has affected contraceptive access. In this regard, planning initiatives to increase access to contraception services is recommended.