Married adolescents: An overview

The nascent work reviewed in this compendium indicates that married girls experience significant social isolation and limited autonomy. Across the studies examined, on indicators of mobility, exposure to media, and social networks, married girls are consistently disadvantaged compared to their unmarried peers. Similarly, across studies, on most of the domains explored here (mobility, decision-making, control over economic resources, and possibly gender-based violence), married girls tend to be less empowered and more isolated than slightly older married females. There may also be health issues associated with marriage during adolescence. Married girls are frequently at a disadvantage in terms of reproductive health information—particularly regarding STIs and HIV. First-time mothers, many of whom are adolescents, by virtue of their parity may have distinct maternal health needs and risks. Finally, early marriage potentially plays a role in exposing girls and young women to severe reproductive health risks, including HIV. Many of these elevated health risks may be largely, though not exclusively, derivative of their social vulnerability.

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Safety and Security of Sexual-reproductive Health and Gender-based Violence among Rohingya Refugee Women in Bangladesh

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS) ◽

10.31344/ijhhs.v5i2.254 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 163

Author(s):

Rabeya Yousuf ◽

Md Mushtahid Salam ◽

Shaima Akter ◽

Abdus Salam

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Humanitarian Assistance ◽

Early Marriage ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽

Refugee Women ◽

British Rule ◽

The People ◽

Gender Based ◽

And Gender

Rohingya refugee women and girls are from a vulnerable society taking shelter in Bangladesh for humanitarian assistance following the serious human rights violations in Myanmar. They are facing a number of challenges such as insecurity, violence, very limited freedom of movement or ability to speak up and influence decisions in their communities. They are most vulnerable to exploitation due to inadequate basic living facilities in the camp causing them to be physically or sexually abused, forced prostitution and human trafficking. Gender-based violence, abandonment by their husbands in the camps, early marriage, teenage pregnancies including lack of safer pregnancy and childbirth are all important issues and challenges faced by them. Access to basic amenities and educational opportunities with special attention about sexual and reproductive health including issues such as gender equality, relationships and conflict management and adequate community health care can help the Rohingya women to overcome the situation. Actually, the word “Rohingya” derived from the people who exist in from the British rule of the medieval period in the current “Rakhine” state, formerly known as “Roshang” later turned into “Rohang” due to colloquial usage. Although officially Myanmar is not using the term “Rohingya” as this might potentially endorse their indigenous origin, an international involvement is obligatory to find a solution for sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 05 No. 02 April’21 Page: 163-170

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

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2020-054896 ◽

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.

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Sexual and Reproductive Health in China

10.1093/acrefore/9780190632366.013.224 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qianling Zhou ◽

Chu-Yao Jin ◽

Hai-Jun Wang

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Sexual Transmission ◽

Induced Abortion ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

The Disabled ◽

Gender Based ◽

Contraceptive Practice ◽

Hiv Aids

Databases of PubMed, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were used to search relevant articles on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in China published from 2005 to the present (2021), based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Operational Framework on Sexual Health and Its Linkages to Reproductive Health. The following results were found. (a) SRH education and information among the Chinese were insufficient, in particular regarding contraception, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Adolescents, migrants, and the rural population had insufficient knowledge of SRH. (b) Fertility care services were mainly available in large cities, in urban areas, and for married couples. Services targeted for rural-to-urban migrants, rural residents, and the disabled and elderly are needed. (c) A total of 22.4% of youths aged 15–24 had premarital sexual intercourse, and the age of first sexual intercourse was decreasing. Risky sexual behaviors included multiple partners, casual and commercial sex, and having sex after drinking alcohol. (d) The contraceptive practice rate of women aged 15–49 in China was higher than the world’s corresponding figure. However, contraceptive use among young people was low (only 32.3% among unmarried women). (e) Unmarried pregnancy induced by low contraceptive practice is a critical issue in China. (f) Induced abortion was the major consequence of unmarried pregnancy. The rate of induced abortion among the general population in 2016 was 28.13‰, and the rate among unmarried women was increasing annually. (g) There were 958,000 HIV-infected cases in China as of October 2019. Sexual transmission was the major transmission route of HIV-AIDS. More men than women were infected. Men having sex with men comprised the high-risk group of sexual transmission of HIV-AIDS. (h) Gender-based violence including intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence, sexual coercion, and child sexual abuse (CSA) might be underreported in China, since many victims were afraid to seek help as well as due to limited services. Legal and regulatory measures should therefore be taken to prevent and reduce gender-based violence. For future perspectives of SRH in China, it is important to pay attention to SRH education and services. An up-to-date national survey on SRH is needed to reflect the current situation and to capture changes over the past decade. Most of the current research has been conducted among adolescents, and more studies are needed among other groups, such as the disabled, the elderly, and homosexual populations.

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‘They Say Our Work Is Not Halal’: Experiences and Challenges of Refugee Community Workers Involved in Gender-based Violence Prevention and Care in Dadaab, Kenya

Journal of Refugee Studies ◽

10.1093/jrs/fey055 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 521-536 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chimaraoke Izugbara ◽

Stella Muthuri ◽

Sheru Muuo ◽

Carolyne Egesa ◽

Giorgia Franchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wife Beating ◽

Early Marriage ◽

Current Response ◽

Work Experiences ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

Genital Mutilation ◽

Work Related ◽

Refugee Community ◽

Humanitarian Space ◽

Gender Based

Abstract Notwithstanding the growing centrality of refugee community workers (RCWs) in the current response to gender-based violence (GBV) in the Dadaab refugee camps, they remain poorly studied. Using interview data, we explored the work-related experiences and challenges as well as GBV-related beliefs of RCWs. Whilst they demonstrated elevated knowledge of the forms and drivers of GBV in their community, some of the RCWs did not deem early marriage, female genital mutilation and wife-beating to be GBV acts. In their work, RCWs were motivated by compassion for survivors as well as a sense of community service, but they faced challenges such as insecurity; poor pay; opposition and violence by community members; tense relationships with and suspicion by professional providers; and limited skills and preparation in GBV management. RCWs’ GBV-related beliefs and work experiences underscore the challenges of programming in a complex humanitarian space and offer insights for strengthening their contribution in GBV care and service delivery.

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