Contraceptive usage and social barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the frequency of contraceptive usage, the social barriers affecting their use, and the frequency of unplanned pregnancies during the COVID-19 pandemic Methodology: This is a prospective cross-sectional study carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College & PAF Hospitals from July 2020 to September 2020. All women of reproductive age attending the outpatient department were consecutively included. A pre-structured questionnaire was used for the purpose of collection of data. We obtained information regarding the use of contraception before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and the contraception methods used by these women. Furthermore, reasons for discontinuing contraception amongst those women who were using it earlier. The occurrence of pregnancy during pandemic was also noted. Results: Of the 350 women, 306 (87.4%) women practiced contraception before and 288 (82.3%) practiced it during the lockdown. Of 306 women practicing contraception before the lockdown, 265 (86.6%) continued practicing during the lockdown as well. Condom 145 (50.3%) and withdrawal method 116 (40.3%) were the most used methods amongst the 288 women practicing contraception during the lockdown. The noticeable increase in the number of those using withdrawal method was due to the lack of consultation following the fear of getting COVID (17 women, 41.5%) and no access to the clinic (14 women, 34.1%). These were the most common reasons for not using contraception, amongst the 41 women practicing contraception before the pandemic. Pregnancies were reported by 93 (26.6%) women out of whom 75 (80.6%) reported these to have been unplanned. Conclusion: The COVID pandemic has largely affected the utilization of contraceptives among women who were already practicing different contraceptive methods. Moreover, unplanned pregnancies are increasingly reported by women.