article · Archives of Public Health
During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, containment measures restricted access to essential healthcare services, including contraception. An analysis of national telephone survey data from 5,304 respondents evaluated the barriers to obtaining condoms and identified preferred procurement sources during the 2020 restrictions. Nearly a quarter of respondents, specifically 22.40 per cent, were unable to access condoms. In addition, seven in ten individuals favoured public supply sources. Access disparities were evident across demographic categories: individuals in the third wealth quintile and specific population groups had lower odds of securing condoms. Meanwhile, respondents aged 25 to 34 and those with at least secondary education were less inclined to prefer public distribution points. The results demonstrate significant disruption to reproductive health resources and highlight a pronounced reliance on publicly funded supplies.
Uninterrupted access to contraception is vital for public health, especially during crises when regular health services are compromised. Identifying which demographic groups face the greatest barriers and tracking preferred distribution channels allows public health authorities to prevent supply disruptions, protect reproductive health, and design resilient supply mechanisms for future emergencies.
The abstract focuses on public health survey data rather than a commercial product or technical invention. Nevertheless, the findings could inform public-private partnerships, logistics organisations, and healthcare non-governmental organisations developing community distribution networks and alternative supply models. As early-stage operational research, the insights would need translation by health agencies and logistics partners into practical delivery programmes.
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BACKGROUND: Evidence has shown that the prescribed lockdown and physical distancing due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have made accessing essential health care services much more difficult in low-and middle-income countries. Access to contraception is an essential service and should not be denied, even in a global crisis, because of its associated health benefits. Therefore, it is important to maintain timely access to contraception without unnecessary barriers. Hence, this study examines the factors contributing to limited access to condoms and sources of condoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. METHODS: This study used the National Income Dynamics Study-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) wave 1 survey dataset. The NIDS-CRAM is a nationally representative survey of the National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) conducted via telephone interview during COVID-19 in the year 2020. This is the first secondary dataset on COVID-19 conducted by NIDS during pandemic. A total of 5304 respondents were included in the study. Data were analysed using frequencies distribution percentages, chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Almost one-quarter (22.40%) of South Africans could not access condoms, and every 7 in 10 South Africans preferred public source of condoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who were from other population groups [AOR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.19-0.74] and those who were in the third wealth quintile [AOR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.38-0.93] had lower odds of having access to condoms while those respondents who were aged 25-34 [AOR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.27-0.83] and those with a secondary level of education and above [AOR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.08-0.71] were less likely to prefer public source of condom. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that there was limited access to condoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the preferred source of condoms was very skewed to public sources in South Africa. Strategic interventions such as community distribution of free condoms to avert obstruction of condom access during the COVID-19 pandemic or any future pandemics should be adopted.
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DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00701-5
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