Socioeconomic Dynamics in Women's Access and Utilization of Health Technologies in Rural Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Technology has become a powerful tool for resolving women's health problems hence women's access and use of healthcare technologies have become an important aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals. Though health technologies have improved the lives of women worldwide, in Nigeria, especially in rural settings, use of health technologies remains low. The objective of this study was to examine the socioeconomic dynamics that influence the use of health technologies by women in rural Nigeria. METHODS: A cross sectional survey using qualitative methods to collect data from 147 purposively selected women (15-65 years) was conducted in three rural Local Government Areas in Enugu State. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and In-depth interview guides were used to collect information from 147 purposively selected women and healthcare workers on access and use of health technologies among women in rural communities. Thematic analytic method was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The data gathered revealed that there was unavailability of health technologies in some communities studied while many had skeletal provision of health technologies. Bad road networks, cost of transportation and unavailability of health technologies impacted on access. Low socioeconomic status of rural women influenced their use of health technologies. CONCLUSION: Health technologies especially diagnostic technologies are not available in rural communities. Women cannot access what is not available. The study recommends need for the provision of these lifesaving technologies at little or no cost.

Adolescents' knowledge and use of sexual and reproductive health services in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Contraceptive knowledge is vital to promoting youth health. It has been proven to lower the high rates of unwanted pregnancies,and STIs including HIV/AIDS. The aim of the study was to examine the level of contraceptive knowledge and use among youths in Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) Nigeria. The study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-method research design. A total of 500 young people between the ages of 15 and 25 were interviewed. The majority of the youth (58.2%) were sexually active,with sexual debut starting within age 15-19. The prevalence of contraceptive knowledge was very high (78.8%), while (34.6%) were not using any type of contraceptives, even among the educated youth notwithstanding their level of education. It was concluded that there is a wide disparity between contraceptive knowledge and use which need to be bridged. There is a need to review policies regarding sexual and reproductive health, as well as sexuality education among youth in Nigeria. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[6]:80-88).