Okorafor Kwala Adline, Okeibunor Joseph, Oyinlola Funmilola Folasade, Ouedraogo Leopold, Tinuola Femi Rufus
Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana.
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
PLoS One. 2024 Dec 6;19(12):e0309317. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309317. eCollection 2024.
Women and girls form a substantial proportion of the population of internally displaced people (IDP) in Nigeria, these vulnerable populations are at risk of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights violations and greater risk of unsafe abortion and high maternal deaths. IDP women's living conditions are often precarious, exposing them to health risks, challenges are often faced due to lack of finance and other related factors to access health care services leading to them improvising health care services which is considered dangerous to their health. There is a gap in the study regarding the SRH needs of the IDP women and the alternative they opt for in meeting their sexual needs.
This study explores the SRH needs, barriers and coping strategies of women of reproductive age in North Central IDP camps.
A qualitative study was conducted between January 8th and February 28th, 2024, in 4 internally displaced camps in Abuja and Benue among women of reproductive age. Using a well-structured interview guide for an in-depth interview, 14 respondents were purposively selected for the study. The women were interviewed to provide insight into the SRH needs, coping strategies and barriers to utilizing SRH services in the selected camps. Data analysis was conducted using Nvivo version 11.
The study revealed the SRH needs for specific family planning methods, free SRH services and antenatal facilities in the camp and the need for toilets. Without the SRH services women cope using herbs and concoctions, they also patronize traditional birth attendants and some of the barriers include finance, husbands' approval and distance to health facilities.
In conclusion, women in the IDP camp have SRH needs that need to be met as their coping strategies are not adequate but could complicate their sexual health. It therefore recommended the government should provide adequate medical personnel in the camp for easy access to SRH services.
在尼日利亚，妇女和女童在国内流离失所者（IDP）人口中占很大比例，这些弱势群体面临性健康和生殖健康（SRH）权利受到侵犯的风险，以及不安全堕胎和孕产妇高死亡率的更大风险。国内流离失所妇女的生活条件往往不稳定，使她们面临健康风险，由于缺乏资金和其他相关因素而难以获得医疗保健服务，她们常常面临挑战，这导致她们自行采取被认为对其健康有害的医疗保健服务。关于国内流离失所妇女的性健康和生殖健康需求以及她们满足性需求所选择的替代方法的研究存在空白。
本研究探讨中北部国内流离失所者营地中育龄妇女的性健康和生殖健康需求、障碍及应对策略。
2024年1月8日至2月28日，在阿布贾和贝努埃的4个国内流离失所者营地对育龄妇女进行了一项定性研究。使用一份结构良好的访谈指南进行深入访谈，有目的地选择了14名受访者进行研究。对这些妇女进行访谈，以深入了解选定营地中性健康和生殖健康需求、应对策略以及利用性健康和生殖健康服务的障碍。使用Nvivo 11版进行数据分析。
研究揭示了营地中对特定计划生育方法、免费性健康和生殖健康服务、产前设施以及厕所的性健康和生殖健康需求。如果没有性健康和生殖健康服务，妇女会使用草药和药剂来应对，她们还会求助于传统助产士，一些障碍包括资金、丈夫的同意以及到医疗机构的距离。
总之，国内流离失所者营地中的妇女有性健康和生殖健康需求需要得到满足，因为她们的应对策略并不充分，而且可能会使她们的性健康状况复杂化。因此建议政府应在营地提供足够的医务人员，以便于获得性健康和生殖健康服务。
