Perceived impact of COVID-19 lockdown on access to healthcare services, food affordability and family income among married patients of a resource-limited primary care setting

Objective:To examine the perceived impact of COVID-19 lockdown on access to healthcare services, food affordability, and family income during the first phase of the pandemic among married people of a resource-limited primary care setting in Kano, Nigeria.Methods:This survey involved 432 married respondents systematically selected from attendees of a primary care clinic in Kano, Nigeria, using a structured questionnaire.Results:Over half (53.5%) of respondents or their family members fell ill during the lockdown; 67.1% felt it difficult to access hospital treatment, while 32.9% sick patients resorted to self-medication. Over half (57.2%) could afford food as they used to, 75.0% reported that food items were costly, while 35.9% received government assistance. Only 29.9% had employment, of which 49.6% received a salary, while 29.5% had their salaries reduced. Educational level was significantly associated with ease of accessing healthcare services (χ2 =8.528, P=0.014). Age (χ2=12.209, P