Sexual Behaviour and Contraceptive Use Among Women of Reproductive Age During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Authors

  • RACHEAL OLADOYIN * Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

https://doi.org/10.48314/isti.vi.50

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services across Nigeria. There was an enforced lockdown which altered household dynamics and contraceptive access, yet community-level evidence from southwestern Nigeria remained sparse. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 women of reproductive age (15–45 years) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. A structured questionnaire was administered. Contraceptive use, sexual activity frequency, and perceived COVID-19 consequences were measured across three periods: before, during, and after the lockdown. Univariate, bivariate (chi-square), and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 23. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Respondents were predominantly married (68.9%), aged 20–24 years (24.0%), and Muslim (50.3%). Contraceptive use rose from 32.9% before the lockdown to 41.4% during the lockdown and 42.9% during the COVID-19 era. Overall, 55.4% (n=194) reported a change in their rate of sexual activity. Women who often used contraceptives were five times more likely to experience a mild rather than a strong impact on sexual activities (Odds Ratio (OR): 5.00; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.09–8.96; p<0.05). Mild contraceptive use was associated with a milder income effect (OR: 8.65; 95% CI: 1.06–70.0; p=0.04). Women engaging in sexual activity 2–4 times weekly were more likely to report a mild health impact (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.84–5.64; p<0.05). The COVID-19 lockdown measurably altered contraceptive use and sexual behaviour in Ile-Ife, with modest increases in contraceptive uptake alongside supply-side disruptions. Strengthening community-level contraceptive distribution and SRH communication during health emergencies is essential.

Keywords:

COVID-19, Contraceptive use, Sexual behaviour, Sexual and reproductive health, Women of reproductive age, Nigeria, Osun state

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Published

2026-07-02

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 4 (2025): Information Sciences and Technological Innovations

Section

Articles

How to Cite

OLADOYIN, R. (2026). Sexual Behaviour and Contraceptive Use Among Women of Reproductive Age During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Information Sciences and Technological Innovations, 2(4), 253-260. https://doi.org/10.48314/isti.vi.50

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