Sexual and reproductive health survey in the time of COVID-19 – Latvia, 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunta Lazdane ◽  
◽  
Dace Rezeberga ◽  
Ieva Briedite ◽  
Inara Kantane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Variables Selection ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

The results of the anonymous online survey of people living in Latvia age 18 and over, using internationally (I-SHARE) and nationally validated questionnaire. Data include following variables: Selection, socio-demographics, social distancing measures, couple and family relationships, sexual behavior, access to condoms and contraceptives, access to reproductive health services, antenatal care, pregnancy and maternal and child health, abortion, sexual and gender-based violence, HIV/STI, mental health, and nutrition. (2021-02-08)

Using reproductive health services to address sexual and gender-based violence in post-conflict northern Uganda.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keneth Opiro ◽  
Francis Pebolo Pebalo ◽  
Neil Scolding ◽  
Charlotte Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Abstract Background Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including rape and child sexual abuse, remains a significant challenge in post-conflict northern Uganda, including within refugee settlements. Many victims have never sought help from health-related services. Consequently, the scale of the problem is unknown, and SGBV victims’ injuries, both psychological and physical, remain undetected and unaddressed. We hypothesized that health workers in rural Reproductive Health Services could provide a valuable resource for SGBV screening and subsequent referral for support. Methods Our project had three elements. First, Reproductive Health Service workers were trained in the knowledge and skills needed to screen for and identify women who had experienced SGBV, using a questionnaire-based approach. Second, the screening questionnaire was used by reproductive health workers over a 3-month period, and the data analysed to explore the scale and nature of the problem. Third, victims detected were offered referral as appropriate to hospital services and/or the ActionAid SURGE (Strengthening Uganda’s Response to Gender Equality) shelter in Gulu. Results 1656 women were screened. 778 (47%) had a history of SGBV, including 123 victims of rape and 505 victims of non-sexual violence. 1,254 (76%) had been directly or indirectly affected by conflict experiences; 1066 had lived in IDP camps. 145 (9%) were referred at their request to Gulu SGBV Shelter under SURGE. Of these, 25 attended the shelter and received assistance, and a further 20 received telephone counselling. Conclusion Undetected SGBV remains a problem in post-conflict northern Uganda. Reproductive Health Service workers, following specific training, can effectively screen for and identify otherwise unreported and unassisted cases of SGBV. Future work will explore scaling up to include screening in hospital A&E departments, incorporate approaches to screening for male victims, and the impact of taking both screening and support services to rural communities through local clinics with mobile teams.

scholarly journals Sexual health (excluding reproductive health, intimate partner violence and gender-based violence) and COVID-19: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054896
Author(s):  
Navin Kumar ◽  
Kamila Janmohamed ◽  
Kate Nyhan ◽  
Laura Forastiere ◽  
Wei-Hong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing socioeconomic and health disparities, including disparities in sexual health and well-being. While there have been several reviews published on COVID-19 and population health disparities generally—including some with attention to HIV—none has focused on sexual health (ie, STI care, female sexual health, sexual behaviour). We have conducted a scoping review focused on sexual health (excluding reproductive health (RH), intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV)) in the COVID-19 era, examining sexual behaviours and sexual health outcomes.MethodsA scoping review, compiling both peer-reviewed and grey literature, focused on sexual health (excluding RH, IPV and GBV) and COVID-19 was conducted on 15 September 2020. Multiple bibliographical databases were searched. Study selection conformed to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewers’ Manual 2015 Methodology for JBI Scoping Reviews. We only included English-language original studies.ResultsWe found that men who have sex with men may be moving back toward pre-pandemic levels of sexual activity, and that STI and HIV testing rates seem to have decreased. There was minimal focus on outcomes such as the economic impact on sexual health (excluding RH, IPV and GBV) and STI care, especially STI care of marginalised populations. In terms of population groups, there was limited focus on sex workers or on women, especially women’s sexual behaviour and mental health. We noticed limited use of qualitative techniques. Very few studies were in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).ConclusionsSexual health research is critical during a global infectious disease pandemic and our review of studies suggested notable research gaps. Researchers can focus efforts on LMICs and under-researched topics within sexual health and explore the use of qualitative techniques and interventions where appropriate.

Nationwide multi-channel sexual reproductive health and gender based violence messaging campaign in Sierra Leone (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emeka Chukwu ◽  
Sonia Gilroy ◽  
John Sesay ◽  
Lalit Garg ◽  
Kim Eva Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Radio Stations ◽  
Sexual Reproductive Health ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

BACKGROUND UNFPA launched two one-month campaigns to reach Sierra Leoneans at scale with critical Sexual Reproductive Health and gender-based violence messages during the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic. OBJECTIVE The intervention objective was to deliver Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) messages to mobile phone subscribers in Sierra Leone. This paper presents the intervention’s messaging campaign design, deployment methodologies, and design-decisions; shows campaign effectiveness; and share lessons learned, including call pickup rates and listening-duration. METHODS We designed and deployed a two-phased campaign – phase one targeted Freetown (urban) residents, and phase two targeted Sierra Leoneans nationwide (urban and rural). Phase one delivered Family Planning, Maternal Health, Gender Based Violence (GBV), and Coronavirus 2019 messages through automated voice calls, SMS, radio jingles, and social media. Phase two of the campaign delivered national GBV only campaign messages through SMS and Radio jingles. RESULTS In phase one, only 31% of the 1,093,606 initiated automated calls to 290,000 subscribers were picked up, and this dropped significantly at 95% confidence (p=1) after each of the four weeks. Also, at 95% confidence levels, a significant number of subscribers did not listen to the complete messages when repeated (p=1). Thirty-one million two hundred (31.2 million) SMS messages were sent to all 3.9 million active Africell subscribers in Sierra Leone during the second phase. Also, SRH and GBV messages were aired on thirteen national radio stations in Sierra Leone during the second phase. The national toll free helpline for GBV cases reported an increase in calls and attributed it to the campaign. Automated call interventions are cost and human resource intensive. Call pickup rates, listening duration, language, and consideration for users’ ability to re-reference messages are key factors when selecting scalable messaging campaign channels. The drop in the number of subscribers picking up automated calls from the first to fourth week was significant at a confidence level of 95%. According to the GBV helpline operators, the increase in calls reporting GBV was attributable to our campaign. CONCLUSIONS Only a third of subscribers called with pre-recorded messages picked up their calls. When automated calls are repeated, it leads to a significant drop in call completion rates. There was an increase in demand for service to the GBV helpline in the month following the campaign. A multi-channel messaging campaign helped reach different groups of young people.

scholarly journals Migrant Women’s Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5376
Author(s):  
Tharani Loganathan ◽  
Zhie X. Chan ◽  
Allard W. de Smalen ◽  
Nicola S. Pocock
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Obstetric Outcomes ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Migrant Women ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Gender Based

Providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to migrant workers is key to fulfilling sustainable developmental goals. This study aims to explore key informants’ views on the provision of SRH services for migrant women in Malaysia, exploring the provision of SRH education, contraception, abortion, antenatal and delivery, as well as the management of gender-based violence. In-depth interviews of 44 stakeholders were conducted from July 2018 to July 2019. Data were thematically analysed. Migrant workers that fall pregnant are unable to work legally and are subject to deportation. Despite this, we found that insufficient SRH information and contraceptive access are provided, as these are seen to encourage promiscuity. Pregnancy, rather than sexually transmitted infection prevention, is a core concern among migrant women, the latter of which is not adequately addressed by private providers. Abortions are often seen as the only option for pregnant migrants. Unsafe abortions occur which are linked to financial constraints and cultural disapproval, despite surgical abortions being legal in Malaysia. Pregnant migrants often delay care-seeking, and this may explain poor obstetric outcomes. Although health facilities for gender-based violence are available, non-citizen women face additional barriers in terms of discrimination and scrutiny by authorities. Migrant women face extremely limited options for SRH services in Malaysia and these should be expanded.

scholarly journals Reproductive Health Issues and Depression in Wives of Labor Migrant Workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreyashi Aryal ◽  
Deepak Shrestha ◽  
Sagun Ballav Pant
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Labor Migrant ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

Background: Young Nepalese men have been forced to migrate to other countries in search of better opportunities. Wives of these migrant workers are in a vulnerable state and face various problems. The aim of this study wasto assess the prevalence of reproductive health problems and depression in this sub-population and to compare it with women living together with their husbands.Methods: This is a hospital based case control study where depression and reproductive health problems including gender based violence were compared between wives of migrant workers and women living with their husbands. Structured questionnaire was used to assess reproductive symptomatology and Becks depression Inventory-II was used to measure level of depression. Results: During the study period, 38.65% (2193) of all women were wives of migrant workers. India was the country where most 34.6% (73) men migrated. Mean duration of migration was 51.96 months (SD= 63.27). Moderate to severe depression was present in 42.6% (90) of wives of migrant workers and 80.09% of these women experienced some form of gender based violence. Reproductive tract symptoms and gender based violence and depression were significantly more present in these women (p<0.000). Conclusions: Depression and reproductive health problems weremore prevalent in wives of labor migrant workers than in women living with their husbands. The physical and mental health needs of this sub-population warrants screening strategies and preventive measures.Keywords: Depression; reproductive symptoms; migrant workers; wives.

Inter-sibling violence as a mechanism of hegemony: retrospective accounts from a non-binary and LGBTQ+ sample in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Martinez ◽  
Courtney McDonald
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Sibling Relationships ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Sibling Violence ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control

Gender-based violence refers to the violence that gendered individuals, typically women and girls, experience due to patriarchal systems of inequality which position woman and girls as objects of discipline and control. One patriarchal system, the nuclear family, is particularly prone to gender inequality and thus violence. This article engages in a theory-building exercise to explain the gendering of violence as it occurs within inter-sibling relationships. More specifically, it posits that inter-sibling violence serves as a mechanism of heteromasculine hegemony. The authors analysed the retrospective accounts of 31 non-binary and LGBTQ+ individuals’ experiences with inter-sibling violence, focusing on gender within the family in the United States. Data suggest that women and non-binary assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals are at greater risk for inter-sibling violence than men, although those assigned male at birth (AMAB) may also be at risk if they exhibit subordinate masculinities in childhood. The study highlights how gender-based violence permeates throughout family relationships, including those between siblings.<br /><br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>Gender-based violence extends into sibling relationships.</li><br /><li>Experiences with inter-sibling violence differ in important ways for transgender and gender non-binary individuals.</li><br /><li>Inter-sibling violence is a gender-based violence and serves as a mechanism of hegemony.</li></ul>

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Pandemic and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Pacific

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952199885
Author(s):  
Angela Dawson ◽  
Alec Ekeroma ◽  
Avelina Rokoduru ◽  
Donald Wilson ◽  
Nguyen Toan Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Unintended Pregnancies ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

This short communication explores the challenges and ways forward for the delivery of sexual and reproductive health care in Pacific Island countries during the pandemic and the responses in relation to contraception, the management of unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence.

scholarly journals Sexual and gender-based violence: To tweet or not to tweet?

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Masciantonio ◽  
Sandy Schumann ◽  
David Bourguignon
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Activism ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

This research explores the reasons that lead survivors of sexual and gender-based violence to share their experiences on Twitter, as well as the reasons that prevent them from doing so. Using an online survey, we investigated the perspective of 94 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Open-ended responses were analysed with the ALCESTE method, a lexical analysis. Considering that in-person self-disclosure differs from in-public self-disclosure, we based our interpretations of the findings on self-disclosure as well as collective action and social activism frameworks. Results showed that those who shared their experience on Twitter did so to render sexual and gender-based violence more visible, and to support the #MeToo movement. They also wanted to change public perceptions of sexual and gender-based violence, while addressing violence at work and denouncing rape culture (the difficulty of filing a complaint, and victim blaming). On the contrary, survivors who did not tweet their experience expressed several concerns, such as feeling ashamed, the fear of being judged by others, and a lack of trust in the Twitter platform and its members. This research concludes that in order to understand the disclosure of victimisation on social network sites, like Twitter, it is worthwhile to complement the self-disclosure framework with insights on collective action and social activism. We also make a call for taking into account differences of social network sites when studying online disclosure of sexual and gender-based violence. Content warning: This article discusses issues of sexual and gender-based violence.

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