Women\u27s perceptions on the effects of COVID-19 on access and use of private sector family planning services in Nigeria: The IntegratE Project

In Nigeria, Community Pharmacists (CPs) and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) are the first point of care for many common illnesses. Although CPs and PPMVs are not formally recognized as family planning (FP) service providers, 22% of modern contraceptive users report receiving their last method from a PPMV and 12% from a private pharmacy. PPMVs are popular for FP because of their widespread availability, consistent drug stocks, extended hours, personable interactions, and lack of separate fees for consultations. As in many places, the COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges to health services in Nigeria. By limiting person-to-person contact, especially during initial lockdowns, there were concerns regarding disruptions in access to, and use of, FP especially among populations already experiencing high unmet need. The IntegratE Project (2017-21) seeks to increase access to contraceptive methods by involving the private sector in FP service delivery in Lagos and Kaduna states. The Project is simultaneously raising awareness about the FP that CPs and PPMVs provide. This brief focuses on understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FP use among women receiving services from CPs and PPMVs