Challenges in last mile distribution of family planning commodities: Effects on product availability and accessibility in Nigeria
Otuto Amarauche Chukwu, Maxwell Ogochukwu Adibe
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Family planning (FP) reduces maternal and child mortality risk. Despite policies and plans to improve FP in Nigeria, access remains poor leading to high unmet need. Contraceptive use is still as low as 4.9% in some regions. Thus, this study assessed challenges in FP commodities distribution and its effect on accessibility. METHODS: Descriptive survey was used to explore last mile distribution of FP commodities in 287 facilities across various levels of FP service provision. Also, 2528 end users of FP services were assessed to ascertain their attitudes towards FP services. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25. RESULTS: Only 16% of the facilities had all the basic infrastructure requirements assessed with majority of the facilities having inadequate human resource capacity on logistics and supply chain management of health commodities. The study also identified positive attitudes towards FP (80%) and low incidence of stigmatising attitudes (5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The study identified challenges in distribution of FP commodities including frequent stock out of commodities and socio-cultural barriers. Increased positive attitude and limited stigmatising attitudes provides policy directions that are relevant for decision makers to align FP policies and strategies to improve last mile distribution of FP commodities.