Access to contraceptives amidst COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa

Access to contraceptives in South Africa has been hindered by a number of multifaceted challenges, encompassing disruptions in supply chains, healthcare system strain, and shifts in policy priorities. Therefore, this paper seeks to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to contraceptives in South Africa. Data were elicited from the National Income Dynamics Study– Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data and to highlight the characteristics of the population and access to contraceptives. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test, while binomial logistic regression models were employed to assess the predictors of contraceptive access. The result showed that 74% of the respondents had access to contraceptives during COVID-19 while 24% of the respondents did not have access to contraceptives. The bivariate results of access to contraceptives showed significant differences in all the explanatory variables with the exception of the employment status variable. After adjusting for confounders, non-Blacks (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.29–2.22) had significantly higher odds of contraceptive access. Urban residence (AOR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.94–1.34) and tertiary education (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI = 0.97–1.25) showed no significant associations. To improve access to contraceptives during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic barriers such as healthcare infrastructure gaps, unequal distribution of resources, and socio-cultural norms that hinder equitable access to reproductive healthcare services must be addressed.