Awareness and Impact of Cashless Policy on Reproductive Process among Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Areas of South-East, Nigeria
Authors:   Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, B. Gbaranor K. , N. Okocha A. ,   Department of Family Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, A. Mube W. ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria, U. Oluoha R. ,   Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Imo State University, Imo State, Nigeria, Y. Ikakita ,   Department of Family Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, I. Ile V. ,   Department of Family Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, M. Dimkpa B. ,   Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria, S Asikimabo-Ofori ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, E. Kinako S. ,   Department of Anatomical Pathology, College of Medical Science, Rivers State University, Rives State, South-South, Nigeria, S. Kue D. ,   Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, R. Dimkpa C. ,   Department of Paediatrics and Child’s Health, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, I. Chris-Biriowu H. ,   Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria, C. Nwogu H. ,   Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria
Published: October 2023

Cashless Policy(CP) is a policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that was suddenly and hastily implemented during the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria. This Policy affected every sector of the economy. The Policy also affected reproductive activity across the South-East. The aim of the study is to ascertain the level of Awareness and impact of cashless policy on reproductive activity among women of reproductive age in rural areas of South-East, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and a total of 260 women participated in the study. A well-structured questionnaire was distributed to each participant by the research assistant after consent was granted by the participants. The study was carried out in the five States that make up South-East Geopolitical Zones and it lasted for a period of 2 months. The study revealed that 84.60% of the participants were not aware of the policy and 92.30% said there was no awareness campaign. 92.3% of the participants do not have mobile phone. Also, 69.2% of the participants said Cashless Policy(CP) do not favour their daily activity and 69.2% said the CP brought hardship. 84.6% of the participants cannot take in due lack of money arising from CP. 69.2% do not use protective devices during sex. The data were analysed using SPSS version 23 and P < 0.05 was said to be significant.