scholarly journals Sexual and reproductive health self-care interventions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: findings from a cross-sectional values and preferences survey to inform WHO normative guidance on self-care interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen H. Logie ◽  
Heather Abela ◽  
Tarek Turk ◽  
Samantha Parker ◽  
Karima Gholbzouri
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background Self-care strategies for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) include practices, tools, and strategies for people to manage their health. Access to SRH services has increased in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in the past decade. The objective of this manuscript is to provide a preliminary assessment of self-care SRH interventions focusing on access, knowledge, perceived challenges, and recommendations for the future. We aim to contribute to the evidence base on knowledge and uptake of self-care SRH strategies in the EMR. Methods We conducted an online cross-sectional Global Values and Preferences Survey (GVPS) to inform WHO guideline development on self-care interventions for SRH. Recruitment was web-based and included hosting the survey on the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research website, and sharing the survey link to diverse SRH websites. Analyses included the subsample of respondents living in EMR countries. We first conducted descriptive statistics of sociodemographic and self-care intervention responses. We then conducted bivariate analyses to examine statistically significant differences in knowledge for each intervention between EMR and non-EMR regions. We extracted open-text responses and applied thematic analysis techniques. Results There were 53 respondents from the EMR spanning 14 countries, including16 health care providers (HCP) and 37 laypersons. Qualitative responses (n = 16) suggest that (a) perceived benefits of self-care SRH strategies include enhanced SRH access, knowledge, and improved SRH outcomes; (b) perceived concerns include misuse and safety; (c) linkage to care following self-care SRH interventions can consider mobile phone apps, hotlines, health care liaisons, and community outreach; (d) HCP want additional training on strengthening therapeutic alliances with patients and practical information on interventions; and (e) future research can focus on reproductive health, condom use, service barriers, and implementation. EMR respondents reported lower knowledge levels than non-EMR respondents on the following strategies: diaphragm/cervical cap, contraceptive patch, web-based SRH information, post-exposure prophylaxis, re-exposure prophylaxis, and HIV treatment. Conclusions Knowledge of self-care SRH strategies varies by intervention type in the EMR. Future research with larger and more representative samples can inform regional self-care SRH implementation. Knowledge dissemination, stigma reduction, accessibility, and training of health care professionals are key domains for advancing access to self-care SRH strategies in the EMR.

scholarly journals The role of parliamentarians in promoting self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights: applying COVID-19 lens in the Eastern Mediterranean region

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hala Abou-Taleb ◽  
Nada Mohamed ◽  
Karima Gholbzouri ◽  
Elisa Scolaro ◽  
Inaya Ezzeddine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Centered Care

AbstractInnovative people-centered care modalities including self-care interventions offer an opportunity to ensure continuity of healthcare services during COVID-19 and in post-COVID-19, as well as contribute to the achievement of universal health coverage. Parliamentarians are uniquely positioned to promote self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights through their legislative, budget allocation, oversight, and advocacy roles. However, existing health systems governance challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean region such as weak institutions setups, fragmentation of health programs, and limitation of resources could impede parliamentarians’ progress. To address these challenges, the following recommended actions should be considered: (1) promote the adaptation of sexual and reproductive health and rights service packages at primary healthcare level to integrate self-care interventions (2) govern innovative people-centered care channels including self-care interventions; and (3) engage in a dialogue with civil society and communities to meet needs, raise public awareness and generate demand.

scholarly journals The role of community pharmacists in increasing access and use of self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: examples from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Somalia

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luna El Bizri ◽  
Laila Ghazi Jarrar ◽  
Wael K. Ali Ali ◽  
Abdifatah H. Omar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background Self-care interventions offer a solution to support the achievement of three goals of the World Health Organization (WHO): to improve universal health coverage, reach people in humanitarian situations, and improve health and well-being. In light of implementing WHO consolidated guidelines on self-care interventions to strengthen sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists from four different EMR countries discussed the current SRH situation, inequality gaps, barriers to SRH service access and the pharmacist’s crucial role as a first-line responder to patients before, during and after COVID-19. Case presentation Self-care interventions for SRH allow health care providers to serve a greater number of patients, improve progress toward universal health coverage, and reach people in humanitarian crises. In fact, these interventions can be significantly enhanced by utilizing community pharmacists as first-line health care providers. This review highlights the important role of community pharmacists in promoting self-care interventions and empowering individuals, families and communities. As a result, well-informed individuals will be authoritative in their health decisions. Exploring self-care interventions in the EMR was done through reviewing selected SRH services delivery through community pharmacists before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Somalia. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, community pharmacists were found to be excluded from both governmental and nongovernmental SRH programmes. During the pandemic, community pharmacists managed to support patients with self-care interventions, whether voluntarily or through their pharmacy associations. This highlights the need for the health care decision-makers to involve and support community pharmacists in influencing policies and promoting self-care interventions. Conclusion Self-care interventions can increase individuals’ choice and autonomy over SRH. Supporting community pharmacists will definitely strengthen SRH in the EMR and may help make the health system more efficient and more targeted.

Preparation for sexual and reproductive self-care in Iranian adolescent girls: a qualitative study

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainab Alimoradi ◽  
Nourossadat Kariman ◽  
Fazlollah Ahmadi ◽  
Masoumeh Simbar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Main Theme

AbstractBackgroundAdolescence is one of the most important stages in every individual’s life. Pubertal changes and acquiring reproduction capability require adolescents to perform special health care processes. Also the possibility of involvement in high-risk sexual behaviors endangers adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health.ObjectiveIncrease and deepen the understanding and knowledge of the factors affecting Iranian adolescent girls’ readiness to take care of their sexual and reproductive health.Materials and methodsThe present qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis method. The participants included 18 adolescents who were aged 13–19 years old, single, studying at high school, art school, or university and had no history of chronic medical or psychological diseases; further, most of them had the experience of menstruation. Purposive sampling was initiated and continued until data saturation. Data collection were performed using in-depth and unstructured interviews. Qualitative content analysis of the interviews was conducted simultaneously with data collection using the Graneheim and Lundman approach .MAXQDA 2010 software was used for storage, retrieval, and management of the data.FindingsPreparation for care was the main theme that emerged in this study along with 19 subcategories and four main categories, including desirable interaction between families and adolescents, readiness for puberty and menstruation, life skills and spiritual self-monitoring.ConclusionThe education and health care systems’ authorities of the country can exploit the results of this study for making policies and interventions expedient to the society’s cultural conditions in order to improve the reproductive and sexual self-care status of adolescents’ girls.

scholarly journals Health-Related Internet Use by Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunhee Park ◽  
Misol Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND The internet is widely used by children and adolescents, who generally have a high level of competency with technology. Thus, the internet has become a great resource for supporting youth self-care and health-related services. However, few studies have explored adolescents’ internet use for health-related matters. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine the phenomenon of children and adolescents’ health-related internet use and to identify gaps in the research. METHODS A total of 19 studies were selected from a search of major electronic databases: PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO using the following search terms: “health-related internet use,” “eHealth,” “Internet use for health-related purpose,” “Web-based resource,” “health information seeking,” and “online resource,” combined with “child,” “adolescent,” “student,” “youth,” and “teen.” The children’s and adolescents’ ages were limited to 24 years and younger. The search was conducted from September 2015 to October 2017. The studies identified to contain youth (<24 years) health-related internet use were all published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 10 years; these studies examined general internet use seeking health care services, resources, information, or using the internet for health promotion and self-care. Studies were excluded if they explored the role of the internet as a modality for surveys, recruitment, or searching for relevant literature without specifically aiming to study participants’ health-related internet use; focused solely on quality assurance for specific websites; or were designed to test a specific internet-based intervention. RESULTS Interesting patterns in adolescents’ health-related internet use, such as seeking preventative health care and specific information about medical issues, were identified. Quantitative studies reported rates of the internet use and access among youth, and the purpose and patterns of health-related internet use among youth were identified. A major objective of health-related internet use is to gain information, but there are inconsistencies in adolescents’ perceptions of health-related internet use. CONCLUSIONS This study’s findings provide important information on how youth seek information and related support systems for their health care on the internet. The conceptual and methodological limitations of the identified studies, such as the lack of a theoretical background and unrepresentative samples, are discussed, and gaps within the studies are identified for future research. This review also suggests important features for potential Web-based health interventions for children and adolescents.

scholarly journals Workplace sexual harassment in sexual and reproductive services: a preliminary cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Italo Costanzo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Services

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONSexual harassment at the workplace in health care is most prevalent in Anglo regions, although is an emerging problem globally. No research has yet focused on the prevalence of the phenomenon within the area of sexual and reproductive health care in Anglo regions. The aim of this study is therefore to measure the prevalence of sexual harassment in sexual and reproductive health care setting and compare it with other clinical areas.METHODA web survey to health care workers of various NHS Trusts in the United Kingdom was carried out and a cross-sectional study was conducted to measure observed counts, expected frequencies and prevalence from a total of 90 questionnaires received.RESULTSThe prevalence of workplace sexual harassment within the sexual and reproductive health services is lower compared to other clinical areas.CONCLUSIONSWorking in sexual and reproductive services could be a protective factor for workplace sexual harassment, therefore this study originates a new line of research aiming to identify the protective factors against sexual harassment at the workplace in sexual and reproductive health and the ways they could be used to protect every health care worker from sexual harassment in the workplace.KEY POINTSThe prevalence of workplace sexual harassment in sexual and reproductive health services is lower compared to other clinical areas.Working in sexual and reproductive services could be a protective factor for workplace sexual harassment.

scholarly journals Prioritising gender, equity, and human rights in a GRADE-based framework to inform future research on self care for sexual and reproductive health and rights

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. e002128
Author(s):  
Nandi Siegfried ◽  
Manjulaa Narasimhan ◽  
Carmen H Logie ◽  
Rebekah Thomas ◽  
Laura Ferguson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
Guidelines Development ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Research Questions

IntroductionIn January 2019, the WHO reviewed evidence to develop global recommendations on self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Identification of research gaps is part of the WHO guidelines development process, but reliable methods to do so are currently lacking with gender, equity and human rights (GER) infrequently prioritised.MethodsWe expanded a prior framework based on Grading of Evidence, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to include GER. The revised framework is applied systematically during the formulation of research questions and comprises: (1) assessment of the GRADE strength and quality rating of recommendations; (2) mandatory inclusion of research questions identified from a global stakeholder survey; and (3) selection of the GER standards and principles most relevant to the question through discussion and consensus. For each question, we articulated: (1) the most appropriate and robust study design; (2) an alternative pragmatic design if the ideal design was not feasible; and (3) the methodological challenges facing researchers through identifying potential biases.ResultsWe identified 39 research questions, 7 overarching research approaches and 13 discrete feasible study designs. Availability and accessibility were most frequently identified as the GER standards and principles to consider when planning studies, followed by privacy and confidentiality. Selection and detection bias were the primary methodological challenges across mixed methods, quantitative and qualitative studies. A lack of generalisability potentially limits the use of study results with non-participation in research potentially highest in more vulnerable populations.ConclusionA framework based on GRADE that includes stakeholders’ values and identification of core GER standards and principles provides a practical, systematic approach to identifying research questions from a WHO guideline. Clear guidance for future studies will contribute to an anticipated ‘living guidelines’ approach within WHO. Foregrounding GER as a separate component of the framework is innovative but further elaboration to operationalise appropriate indicators for SRHR self-care interventions is required.

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Provision of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Primary Health Facilities in Nigeria: a Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babatunde Adelekan ◽  
Erika Goldson ◽  
Zubaida Abubakar ◽  
Ulla Mueller ◽  
Audu Alayande ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Facilities

Abstract BackgroundNigeria, like many other countries, has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While efforts have been devoted to curtailing the disease, a major concern has been its potential effects on the delivery and utilization of reproductive health care services in the country. The objective of the study was to investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns had affected the provision of essential reproductive health, maternal and child health, and adolescent health services in primary health care facilities across the Nigerian States.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 307 primary health facilities in 30 Local Government Areas in 10 States, representing the six geopolitical regions of the country. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on issues relating to access and service provision before, during and after COVID-19 lockdowns from the head nurses/midwives in the facilities. The questionnaire was entered into Open Data Kit mounted on smartphones. Data were analysed using non-parametric statistics.ResultsThe results show that a large proportion of the primary health facilities in the selected states opened for the provision of essential sexual and reproductive health and rights services during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. However, there was a significant reduction in clients’ utilization of services due to challenges experienced in service implementation such as stock-outs, and low demand for services by clients. Although the health facilities reported identifying cases of COVID-19, there was limited provision for primary protective equipment and other special offers that would motivate the health workers to optimize services for clients. ConclusionsWe conclude that efforts made to address these challenges by governments, non-governmental agencies, the private sector, and donor agencies working in low resource settings would reduce the health and social burden posed by COVID-19 in Nigeria.

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