Reproductive Health Needs Assessment of Internally Displaced Women in Camps in Borno State

Internal displacement in Borno State due to the North East insurgency has created acute reproductive health vulnerabilities for women in displacement camps, including disrupted antenatal care, high rates of gender-based violence, limited contraceptive access, and inadequate skilled birth attendance. This study conducts a professional reproductive health needs assessment for internally displaced women in camps in Borno State, North East Nigeria. Six internally displaced persons camps in Maiduguri and Dikwa were assessed through structured interviews with 180 women of reproductive age and facility assessments of available reproductive health services. Data covered antenatal care access, delivery location in camp, family planning availability, gender-based violence experience and reporting, and reproductive health commodity stocks. Only 34 percent of pregnant women in camps had accessed four or more antenatal contacts. Camp facility delivery was available in three of six camps but was limited to normal deliveries. Contraceptive commodities were consistently stocked in only two camps. Thirty-one percent of women reported experiencing some form of gender-based violence. Referral pathways for obstetric emergencies were unreliable in all camps. Professional recommendations include deployment of midwives to all camps, minimum initial service package for reproductive health implementation, contraceptive resupply protocols, and safe space establishment for gender-based violence survivors in partnership with UNFPA and BSRSH. Keywords: internally displaced women, reproductive health, Borno State, displacement camps, humanitarian obstetrics