Biases in Contraceptive Service Provision among Clinical and Non-Clinical Family Planning Provider Network Members in Nigeria

Hilary Schwandt, Johns Hopkins University
Marc Boulay, Johns Hopkins University
Abdulmumin Saad, Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI)

The Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Program (NURHI) aims to increase contraceptive use in four urban areas in Nigeria. To address supply side issues NURHI has spearheaded the formation of a Family Planning Provider Network (FPPN) in each city. A baseline study on FPPN members was conducted. Results showed FPPN members in Ibadan and Ilorin are more biased than those in Abuja and Kaduna. Gender, religion and prior modern family planning use are not associated with service provision biases. PMVs and community outreach workers have more biases than clinicians. The finding that PMV operators, a significant proportion of the FPPN and a source of contraceptive supply for around a quarter of urban Nigerians, have high biases indicates program efforts to integrate the PMV and clinician network, to reduce PMV operator biases, must be prioritized in the FPPN program.