Inaccessibility to Healthcare Services amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: Threat to Universal Health Coverage among Sub-saharan African Countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is still a major global public health hazard, posing a threat to healthcare availability and accessibility. It is of importance for researchers to contribute towards the achievement of the SDG goal 3.8.1 by keeping an eye on any potential threats to universal health coverage. This study aim to document the rate and pattern of inaccessibility to healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the factors associated with the likelihood of healthcare services inaccessibility during the pandemic in three selected sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso Congo Democratic Republic, and Nigeria).

Methods: We analysed a secondary data collected by the Performance for monitoring Action (PMA), the cross-sectional survey was carried out among women of reproductive age 15 – 49 years. Dataset with valid responses to question on healthcare accessibility were extracted from the dataset for Burkina Faso (1486), CDR (402), and Nigeria (322). The outcome variable was Healthcare services accessibility (Inaccessible=1, accessible=0). Descriptive statistics were analysed and presented, chi-square and logistics regression were used to explore associated factors of inaccessibility. Stata MP 16 was used for the Analysis. P values were considered significant at P <0.05.

Results: On the overall, about 13.6% (7.5% in Burkina Faso, 19.2% in CDR, and 14.0% in Nigeria) women had no access to healthcare services. Women in CDR (AOR= 2.56, 95%CI:1.74 - 3.77), and Nigeria (AOR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.28 – 2.95) were more likely to encounter inaccessibility to healthcare services during the pandemic compared to women from Burkina Faso. Also, women who visited for ANC (AOR=0.54, 95%CI:0.32 – 0.91), Child’s health (AOR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.41 – 0.84), and Immunization (AOR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.37 – 1.05).

The COVID-19 pandemic threatened the SDG goal for Universal health coverage as the pandemic led to inaccessibility to healthcare services in the Burkina Faso, Congo Democratic Republic and Nigeria. This study recommends that policies and measures to ensure that access to healthcare are not disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.