An examination of contraceptive used before and during the covid-19 pandemic and factors influencing condom usage among Jamaicans

Abstract

PA Bourne*, S Campbell, A Hamilton, SA Johnson, K Timoll, VMS Peterkin and M Burke

COVID-19 became an issue in Jamaica when the nation recorded its first case on March 10, 2020. This study seeks to: (1) examines contraceptive usage among Jamaicans before and during COVID-19 and, (2) Identify where there has been an increase in contraceptive usage during the Covid-19 period because of the imposed social isolation and the mandatory physical downloads. Quantitative survey research was designed to collect data from Jamaicans via a correlational research design. Non-probability sampling was used to obtain the data from 500 sampled respondents across the island. A standardized survey was created in Google Forms to collect the data. The data were converted from Google Forms into Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, Version 27.0, with 95% confidence interval. During the pre-COVID-19 period, 53.4% (n=267) of the sampled respondents indicated having utilized some form of contraception compared to 49.8% (249) utilized a contraceptive method. Furthermore, 33.8% of the sampled respondents indicated utilizing a condom during sex, 28.8% mentioned that they consistently use a contraceptive method during sexual intercourse and that 54.6% stated that they will continue to use a contraceptive method. The model for condom usage is a statistically significant one (??2=208.270, P<0.0001), with the significant predictors accounting for 47.2% of the variance in condom usage among Jamaicans (Nagelkerke R2=0.472, -2LL=431.430, Hosmer and Lemeshow Test -??2=9.183, P=0.327). The Ministry of Health and Wellness should implement measures to address the prospective rise in sexually transmitted infections and complications resulting from induced abortions