scholarly journals Factors that influenced access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: An online cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Binezero Mambo ◽  
Franck K. Sikakulya ◽  
Robinson Ssebuufu ◽  
Yusuf Mulumba ◽  
Henry Wasswa ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused a wide range of disruptions in health care access in many low and middle income countries. The aim of this study was to explore factors that influenced access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. MethodsThis was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18years to 30 years were recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.2.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported not having access to testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to accessing SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to SRH facilities (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and curfew conditions (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest (40.4%) problems related to SRH during the lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). Limiting factors were more prevalent among the co-habiting youths [CPR: 1.3 (1.13-1.49) and APR:1.2 (1.06-1.41)] followed by unemployed [CPR: 1.3 (1.09 - 1.53) and APR:1.2 (1 - 1.42)] and non-salaried [APR:1.2 (1- 1.42)] than other participants. The bivariate and multivariate regression analyses indicate that problems were more prevalent among the co-habiting youths [CPR: 2.7 (1.88 - 3.74) and APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29)] followed by the unemployed [CPR: 2 (1.27 - 3.2) and APR: 1.6 (1.03 - 2.64)] than in other categories. ConclusionThe findings of this study show that Ugandan youths had limited access to SRH information and services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cohabiting and unemployed youths were the most affected by problems related to SRH. Lack of transport means and high cost of services were the major limiting factors to access SRH services among the youths. The findings call for concerted efforts from the Government and other stakeholders to incorporate SRH among the priority services when designing responses to any outbreak crisis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Binezero Mambo ◽  
Franck K. Sikakulya ◽  
Robinson Ssebuufu ◽  
Yusuf Mulumba ◽  
Henry Wasswa ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health services. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and access to sexual and reproductive health services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the problems related to sexual and reproductive health among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown. MethodsThis was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18years to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.2.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported not having testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to SRH facility (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest (40.4%) problem related to SRH during the lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). The multivariate regression analysis shows that problems were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), p<0.001] followed by unemployed (volunteer or unpaid) [APR: 1.6 (1.03 - 2.64), p: 0.037] than in other participants. ConclusionsThe findings of this study show that Ugandan youths have accessing SRH information and services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were the most affected. Lack of transport means and high cost of services were the major limiting factors to access SRH services among the youths. The findings call for concerted efforts from the Uganda government and international non-governmental organisations to ensure access and availability of SRH services for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Binezero Mambo ◽  
Franck K. Sikakulya ◽  
Robinson Ssebuufu ◽  
Yusuf Mulumba ◽  
Henry Wasswa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted health care access in many countries. The aim of this study was to explore factors that influenced access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods This was across-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. A questionnaire was administered online to participants aged 18 to 30 years. Subjects were recruited using a snowballing approach. STATA version 14.2 was used for statistical analysis.Results Of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported that they did not have access to information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). More than a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported that testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections were not available during the lockdown. 27.2% could not obtain contraceptive supplies. Access to HIV services and menstrual supplies were also impaired. Lack of transportation was the commonest factor cited as limiting access to SRH services during the lockdown (68.7%), followed by the long distance from home to SRH facilities (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and the curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest SRH problems related to SRH during the lockdown (40.4%) followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). Marital, educational, and employment status were significantly correlated with the reported experiences of the participants. Conclusion Access to SRH information and services for Ugandan youths was restricted during the COVID-19 lockdown and may have increased the incidence of poor SRH outcomes. Lack of transportation, distance to health facilities, and high cost of services were important limiting factors. The Government and other stakeholders should incorporate SRH among the priority services to be preserved during future outbreaks.



2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Theodora Zoitaki ◽  
Christina Dimitrakaki ◽  
Venetia Notara ◽  
Evanthia Sakellari ◽  
Areti Lagiou


2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-622
Author(s):  
Diana Marcela Hernández-Pérez ◽  
María Natalia Moreno-Ruíz ◽  
Anderson Iván Rocha-Buelvas ◽  
Arsenio Hidalgo-Troya

Introduction: Poverty and social inequalities together with sexually transmitted diseases have a negative impact on women’s health, which is considered to be a public health problem.Objective: To analyze barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services in cleaning workers.Materials and methods: A survey was administered to a sample of 37 female cleaning workers at a hospital in Bogotá D.C. A bivariate analysis was performed with chi-square test, as well as a multivariate analysis with binomial logistic regression.Results: Need factors showed greater association with non-use of sexual health services. All married women had accessed the service over the past 12 months, but there were 5.9 less possibilities of using sexual and reproductive health services when there was no awareness about risk behaviors of sexually transmitted diseases.Conclusion: The determining factor for the utilization of sexual health services is the health care need factor. Variables such as perception of risk behaviors and appropriateness of health care significantly influence the use of the service.



2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ellen Abrafi Boamah-Kaali ◽  
Seyram Kaali ◽  
Grace Manu ◽  
Stephaney Gyaase ◽  
Elisha Adeniji ◽  
...  

Introduction. Tailoring sexual and reproductive health programs and services to the needs of adolescents will help adolescents make informed decisions and choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health. Objective. To assess the opinions of service providers on tailoring sexual and reproductive health services to the needs of adolescents. Method. A qualitative study using indepth interviews was held among eight decision-makers and service providers in two hospitals within the Kintampo North Municipality and Kintampo South District as well as the Municipal and District Health Directorates in Kintampo North and South between April and May 2011. Results. All respondents expressed the opinion that it is a good idea to tailor sexual and reproductive health services to the needs of adolescents. They admitted that very limited sexual and reproductive health programs targeting adolescent needs were available in the study area. Service providers also reported very low levels of health facilities use by adolescents for sexual and reproductive health information and services. Health professionals attributed the poor sexual and reproductive health services utilization by adolescents to stigma from the society and attitudes of service providers. Conclusion. There are no targeted sexual and reproductive health programmes and services for adolescents. Services providers indicated that it is important to tailor sexual and reproductive health services to the needs of adolescents to prevent stigma, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections.



2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-215
Author(s):  
Ibebuike, J.E. ◽  
Onyeneke, U.J. ◽  
Chinedu-Eleonu, P.

Reproductive health is central to human identity and imperative for health and well-being. This study was carried out in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria to investigate the perspective of youths and providers of reproductive health services toward its utilization and challenges. The study was a descriptive cross sectional study of which the multistage sampling technique was adopted to select samples for the study. A well-structured questionnaire was used to interview the subjects all of gave an informed consent to be part of the study. Results showed that the youth’s view on impending factors of RHS include attitude of RHS workers, cost of provision of RHS, poor keeping of secret about one’s health, lack of confidentiality among workers, parental influence, poor environment and poor road accessibility and lack of confidentiality. The providers generally identified the role RHS play in terms of family planning, antenatal care services, treatment of unsafe abortion, referral services, treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, etc. They were of the view that some of the impediments affecting quality RHS in their communities were poor environment, lack of privacy, poor maintenance of the buildings for health care, fear of the elderly, poor attitude of some of the health workers, lack of accessible roads leading to health centers, poor availability of equipment and product supplies, treatment cost, etc. It was recommended that health awareness campaigns concerning RHS and its associating risk factors should be made more pronounced in the society especially among youths. Keywords: Reproductive Health Services, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Youths, Providers, Sexually Transmitted Infections.



2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demelash Habtamu ◽  
Addisie Adamu

Street children worldwide do not have the information, skills, health services, and support they need to go through sexual development during adolescence. This study is undertaken to systematically investigate the fit between street children’s sexual and reproductive health needs and the existing services. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 street children and four service providers. About 72.5% of the respondents were sexually active during data collection and 84.3% of males and 85.7% of females tended to have multiple sexual partners. More than two-thirds (67.3%) of the participants had used at least one type of substance. History of substance use (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.42–4.56) and being on the street for the first one to three years (OR = 5.9; 95% CI = 1.41–7.22) increased the likelihood of having sexual activity. More than half (64.9%) of the street children did not attend any kind of sexual or reproductive health education programs. Lack of information on available services (26.5%) was the biggest barrier for utilization of local sexual and reproductive health services. From the individual interview with coordinator, the financial and networking problems were hindering the service delivery for street children. In conclusion, street children who are special high risk group have not been targeted and hence continue to remain vulnerable and lacking in sexual and reproductive health services and sexual health services are poorly advertised and delivered to them.



2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Hamdanieh ◽  
Louna Ftouni ◽  
Bara’a Al Jardali ◽  
Racha Ftouni ◽  
Chaymaa Rawas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sexual and reproductive health (SRH), a globally recognized fundamental health concern and a basic human right is poorly addressed and seldom researched in the Arab world. Disregarding this aspect of health creates various obstacles to accessing SRH related services and education. This threatens the health of a female, namely through increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions, augmenting the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, and most importantly, increasing the hazard of maternal and neonatal death. Thus, this study aimed to assess the level of SRH related knowledge and awareness among single unmarried women living in Lebanon. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in both English and Arabic languages. The questionnaire included 9 sections; socio-demographic characteristics section, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) section, premarital tests section, vaccines section, menstruation and its abnormalities section, pregnancy symptoms and identification section, methods of contraception section, vitamins section, and honeymoon events section. The questionnaire was distributed among all Lebanese governorates to 491 single unmarried women living in Lebanon aged between 17 and 55 years. Student t-test and Chi-Square test were used to analyze results. Results It was found that only 8.8% of all the participants had adequate knowledge. The highest level of SRH related knowledge was about pregnancy (88.0%), and the least was about contraception (13.5%). Most of the knowledgeable participants lived in Beirut governorate (13.6%, n = 8) and had reached universities (10.3%, n = 41), but this was not statistically significant (p-value > 0.05). The effect of a prior visit to a gynecologist was statistically non-significant on the overall level of knowledge (p-value = 0.269). Conclusion Due to the inadequate level of knowledge, SRH education campaigns empowered by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with primary care physicians and gynecologists, are recommended in both the societal and academic sectors to enhance the awareness level and make SRH knowledge readily available among unmarried women aged between 17 and 55. Knowing the massive role of social media nowadays, the messages they present should contribute to enhancing the level of SRH knowledge and redirect attitudes and behaviors of unmarried females in Lebanon.



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