Impact of Conflict on Accessibility and Effectiveness of Family Planning Services in Conflict-Affected Areas of Taraba State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Previous and ongoing conflicts in Taraba State have presented significant challenges to the accessibility and effectiveness of family planning services, posing a critical problem for public health in the state. This study investigated how conflict impacted these services identifying key barriers to their delivery. The data were collected through 15 Key Informant Interviews (KII) and 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGD)were held across the selected LGAs, each involving 5-10 participants involving healthcare professionals, community leaders, and local residents. The study found that conflict severely impaired the accessibility and effectiveness of family planning services in the study area through conflict-induced damage to healthcare infrastructure, displacement of communities, and security concerns, which disrupted service continuity and outreach efforts. Economic hardships and psychological trauma were also found to hinder access to family planning services in the study area. Based on these findings, the study recommended the integration of mental health support into family planning programs, increased funding and resource allocation, and enhanced coordination to improve family planning service delivery in conflict-affected areas of Taraba State.