The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach

ABSTRACT Background and Aims In Northern Nigeria, entrenched patriarchal norms, high maternal mortality rates, low contraceptive use, and a fragile healthcare system exacerbated by conflict pose significant challenges to reproductive autonomy and family planning. This study investigates the impact o...

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Main Authors: Lieke Vilier, Wim Groot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Health Science Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70435
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author Lieke Vilier
Wim Groot
author_facet Lieke Vilier
Wim Groot
author_sort Lieke Vilier
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background and Aims In Northern Nigeria, entrenched patriarchal norms, high maternal mortality rates, low contraceptive use, and a fragile healthcare system exacerbated by conflict pose significant challenges to reproductive autonomy and family planning. This study investigates the impact of conflict exposure on women's unmet family planning needs and reproductive autonomy, including contraceptive decision‐making, discussing condom use, and declining sexual advances. Methods This study employs a kernel‐based difference‐in‐differences model using data from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (2008, 2013, 2018) linked with conflict incident data from the Armed Conflict Location and Events Database. Results Results suggest that conflict exposure is generally associated with women's reproductive autonomy, with effects varying over time and between urban and rural settings. Specifically, urban conflict exposure before 2013 was found to be associated with an increased ability for women to refuse sexual advances and a reduction in unmet family planning needs. Conflict exposure during 2014–2018 is found to be associated with an increased ability for women to request condom use and an increased ability to refuse sex. Conclusion The diverse outcomes, which predominantly show positive associations between conflict exposure and women's reproductive autonomy, may be attributed to the presence of humanitarian assistance, changed fertility preferences and altered gender norms during conflict.
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spelling doaj-art-3c6a857d092b4cd79e990180350091c82025-08-20T02:11:08ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352025-02-0182n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.70435The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching ApproachLieke Vilier0Wim Groot1United Nations University‐MERIT Maastricht The NetherlandsDepartment of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Maastricht University Maastricht The NetherlandsABSTRACT Background and Aims In Northern Nigeria, entrenched patriarchal norms, high maternal mortality rates, low contraceptive use, and a fragile healthcare system exacerbated by conflict pose significant challenges to reproductive autonomy and family planning. This study investigates the impact of conflict exposure on women's unmet family planning needs and reproductive autonomy, including contraceptive decision‐making, discussing condom use, and declining sexual advances. Methods This study employs a kernel‐based difference‐in‐differences model using data from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (2008, 2013, 2018) linked with conflict incident data from the Armed Conflict Location and Events Database. Results Results suggest that conflict exposure is generally associated with women's reproductive autonomy, with effects varying over time and between urban and rural settings. Specifically, urban conflict exposure before 2013 was found to be associated with an increased ability for women to refuse sexual advances and a reduction in unmet family planning needs. Conflict exposure during 2014–2018 is found to be associated with an increased ability for women to request condom use and an increased ability to refuse sex. Conclusion The diverse outcomes, which predominantly show positive associations between conflict exposure and women's reproductive autonomy, may be attributed to the presence of humanitarian assistance, changed fertility preferences and altered gender norms during conflict.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70435armed conflictfamily planningNigeriareproductive autonomy
spellingShingle Lieke Vilier
Wim Groot
The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach
Health Science Reports
armed conflict
family planning
Nigeria
reproductive autonomy
title The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach
title_full The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach
title_fullStr The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach
title_short The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach
title_sort impact of armed conflict in northern nigeria on reproductive autonomy and unmet need for family planning a difference in differences propensity score matching approach
topic armed conflict
family planning
Nigeria
reproductive autonomy
url https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70435
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