COVID-19 challenges and pregnancy desire among married/ in-union women in Kano and Lagos States, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of COVID-19-induced challenges on pregnancy desire among married/in-union women of reproductive age in Lagos and Kano states, Nigeria. The performance monitoring for action (PMA) data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multilevel regression. About 12% of women desired no pregnancy; 43% would feel happy and unhappy respectively, if pregnancy occurred during the pandemic, while 13.9% would have mixed feelings. COVID-19 concern was associated with no pregnancy desire (OR = 1.14; CI = 1.05–1.24) but negatively associated with feeling happy (RRR: 0.83; CI: 0.71–0.98). Experience of partial household income loss was negatively associated with having mixed feelings (RRR = 0.30; CI = 0.13–0.69). Experience of complete income loss was negatively associated with feeling happy and mixed feelings respectively. In each state, women with COVID-19 concerns and household income loss should be empowered to prevent unwanted pregnancies and their attendant negative reproductive and mental health consequences.