scholarly journals Covid-19 and Sexual and Reproductive Health of Women and Girls in Nigeria

Author(s):  
Fidelis Allen

Copious literature exists on how COVID-19 is affecting the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in the world. Not much is known about the case of Nigeria. Using secondary data in peer-reviewed and grey literature, as well as insights from web searches, this paper explores the impact of measures such as lockdown, closure of schools, travel bans, and social distancing on the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in Nigeria. The impact varies between urban and rural dwellers amidst pre-existing patriarchal norms and severe health care deficiencies and limited access for people and worse for women and girls with needs. Decision-making about family planning, contraceptive use, safe delivery, antenatal care, prenatal care and treatment of victims of rape which have been mainly areas in which men’s power has been demonstrated in the past only got worse with pandemic-related lockdown and restrictions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trena I. Mukherjee ◽  
Angubeen G. Khan ◽  
Anindita Dasgupta ◽  
Goleen Samari

Abstract Objective Despite gendered dimensions of COVID-19 becoming increasingly apparent, the impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory epidemics on women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health (SRH) have yet to be synthesized. This review uses a reproductive justice framework to systematically review empirical evidence of the indirect impacts of respiratory epidemics on SRH. Methods We searched MEDLINE and CINAHL for original, peer-reviewed articles related to respiratory epidemics and women and girls’ SRH through May 31, 2021. Studies focusing on various SRH outcomes were included, however those exclusively examining pregnancy, perinatal-related outcomes, and gender-based violence were excluded due to previously published systematic reviews on these topics. The review consisted of title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data abstraction. Results Twenty-four studies met all eligibility criteria. These studies emphasized that COVID-19 resulted in service disruptions that effected access to abortion, contraceptives, HIV/STI testing, and changes in sexual behaviors, menstruation, and pregnancy intentions. Conclusions These findings highlight the need to enact policies that ensure equitable, timely access to quality SRH services for women and girls, despite quarantine and distancing policies. Research gaps include understanding how COVID-19 disruptions in SRH service provision, access and/or utilization have impacted underserved populations and those with intersectional identities, who faced SRH inequities notwithstanding an epidemic. More robust research is also needed to understand the indirect impact of COVID-19 and epidemic control measures on a wider range of SRH outcomes (e.g., menstrual disorders, fertility services, gynecologic oncology) in the long-term.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengcheng Tu ◽  
Jianan Li ◽  
Xiaomei Jiang ◽  
Kaiyan Pei ◽  
Yiqun Gu

AbstractThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has already been declared a global pandemic. To our knowledge, there is very little information regarding the effects of COVID-19 on women seeking reproductive health services, specifically abortion. This study was aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reproductive and sexual health among women seeking abortion services. We conducted a series of preliminary analyses using data collected from ten maternal and child health hospitals of seven provinces in China before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. The present study showed that a significant decrease was observed in the frequency of sexual intercourse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, a significant increase in contraceptive use including condom, rhythm method and coitus interruptus whereas a decrease in choosing oral contraceptives were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the pandemic was associated with increased intention of seeking induced abortion due to social factors. Future research should look into the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. e006033
Author(s):  
Marta Schaaf ◽  
Rajat Khosla

BackgroundThis paper is a scoping review of the impact of legal accountability efforts for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), exploring the links between legal accountability strategies and changes in the desired SRHR outcomes.MethodsWe defined legal accountability as use of the judicial system following state failure to respect, protect or fulfil SRHR as enshrined in national law, as well as individuals’ or the state’s use of criminal law mechanisms to prevent unwanted behaviour and to provide remedy. We undertook a keyword search in PubMed, Scopus and LexisNexis and then consulted a group of experts to provide guidance regarding further peer-reviewed and grey literature, yielding a total of 191 articles.ResultsThe majority of the empirical, peer-reviewed articles identified were regarding abortion law and abortion care availability, followed by violence against women. Most of these articles explore the gaps between law and practice. We identified seven key factors that shape the efficacy of legal accountability efforts, including the ways a law or court decision is formulated, access to courts, the (dis)advantages of criminal law in the given context, cultural norms, politics, state capacity and resources and the potential for further litigation. Many articles explained that use of the judiciary may be necessary to effect change and that the act of claiming rights can empower, but that legal avenues for change can be imperfect tools for justice.ConclusionsLegal accountability can be effective as part of a broader, long-term strategy, with due attention to context.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly altered the pre-existing landscape for sexual and reproductive health. Adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes are therefore more likely to be affected due to reports of overwhelmed health systems. However, sexual and reproductive health wellbeing should be prioritized at all times to counteract adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. As a result, the proposed review aims at synthesizing evidence on the implications of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health outcomes.Methods: An electronic search for literature will be executed to identify peer reviewed and grey literature on the subject. After screening for studies to include in the synthesis, the checklist of the Joanna Briggs Institute, the McMaster Critical Review form and the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, and Significance (AACODS) will be used for assessment. The study will be conducted in line with the recommendations detailed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist and a narrative report will be developed.Discussion: Our proposed review aims at identifying the specific implications of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health. The review will highlight the systemic challenges and gaps that reinforce the intensity of the impact. It will also identify the aspects of sexual and reproductive health that are much affected among the wide array of components that constitute sexual and reproductive health such as family planning, antenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care among other factors. A better understanding of these issues will help global, regional and national stakeholders and policy makers to identify the specific sexual and reproductive health dimensions that need targeted interventions. Scoping review registration: https://osf.io/85fch


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Coombe ◽  
Fabian Kong ◽  
Helen Bittleston ◽  
Hennie Williams ◽  
Jane Tomnay ◽  
...  

Introduction: Australia introduced lockdown measures to control COVID-19 on 22 March 2020. For two months, Australians were asked to remain at home and only leave for essential activities. We investigate the impact this had on sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Methods: Australians aged 18+ were eligible to participate in an online survey from 23 April-11 May 2020. Questions included contraceptive use, pregnancy intentions and access to SRH services. We report on the experiences of 518 female participants aged <50 years. Pregnancy intentions and contraceptive use were analysed using descriptive statistics. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to investigate difficulty accessing SRH products and services. Qualitative data were analysed using descriptive thematic analysis. Results: Most participants (55.4%, 287/518) were aged 18-24 years. Most (76.1%, 379/498) indicated they were trying to avoid pregnancy. The oral contraceptive pill was the most common single method used (20.8%; 107/514). Nearly 20% (101/514) reported they were not using contraception. Older women (OR=0.4; 95%CI: 0.1, 0.9 for 25-34 vs 18-24 years) and those employed (OR=0.4; 95%CI: 0.2, 0.7) had less trouble accessing contraception during lockdown. Women aged 25-34 (OR=0.4; 95%CI: 0.3, 0.7) or 35-49 years (OR=0.3; 95%CI: 0.1, 0.6) were less likely to experience difficulty accessing feminine hygiene products. Qualitative analysis suggested that COVID-19 affected pregnancy plans, with participants delaying childbearing, or deciding to remain childfree. Conclusion: COVID-19 lockdown impacted the SRH of Australian women. Findings highlight the importance of continued access to SRH services and products during global emergencies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Subasri Narasimhan ◽  
Jessica D. Gipson

Abstract Amidst persistently high unintended pregnancy rates and lags in contraceptive use, novel methodological approaches may prove useful in investigating sexual and reproductive health outcomes in the Philippines. Systematic Anomalous Case Analysis (SACA) – a mixed-methods technique – was employed to examine predictors of women’s lifetime contraceptive use. First, multivariable, longitudinal Poisson regression models predicted fertility and sexual debut using the 1998–2009 Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Surveys (CLHNS), then regression outliers and normative cases were used to identify 48 participants for in-depth interviews (2013–2014) for further examination. Qualitative findings from 24 women highlighted ‘control over life circumstances’ was critical, prompting the addition of two items to the original quantitative models predicting any contraceptive use (n=532). Each of the items, ‘what happens to [them] is their own doing’ and ‘[I] do not [have] enough control over direction life is taking [me]’, significantly and independently predicted any contraceptive use (aOR: 2.37 (CI: 1.24–4.55) and aOR: 0.46 (CI: 0.28–0.77), respectively). The findings demonstrate the utility of SACA to improve the understanding and measurement of sexual and reproductive health outcomes and underscore the importance of integrating psychosocial constructs into existing models of fertility and reproductive behaviour in the Philippines to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Emily Dema ◽  
Andrew J Copas ◽  
Soazig Clifton ◽  
Anne Conolly ◽  
Margaret Blake ◽  
...  

Background: Britain’s National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) have been undertaken decennially since 1990 and provide a key data source underpinning sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policy. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of sexual lifestyles, triggering an urgent need for population-level data on sexual behaviour, relationships, and service use at a time when gold-standard in-person, household-based surveys with probability sampling were not feasible. We designed the Natsal-COVID study to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the nation’s SRH and assessed the sample representativeness. Methods: Natsal-COVID Wave 1 data collection was conducted four months (29/7-10/8/2020) after the announcement of Britain’s first national lockdown (23/03/2020). This was an online web-panel survey administered by survey research company, Ipsos MORI. Eligible participants were resident in Britain, aged 18-59 years, and the sample included a boost of those aged 18-29. Questions covered participants’ sexual behaviour, relationships, and SRH service use. Quotas and weighting were used to achieve a quasi-representative sample of the British general population. Participants meeting criteria of interest and agreeing to recontact were selected for qualitative follow-up interviews. Comparisons were made with contemporaneous national probability surveys and Natsal-3 (2010-12) to understand bias. Results: 6,654 participants completed the survey and 45 completed follow-up interviews. The weighted Natsal-COVID sample was similar to the general population in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, rurality, and, among sexually-active participants, numbers of sexual partners in the past year. However, the sample was more educated, contained more sexually-inexperienced people, and included more people in poorer health. Conclusions: Natsal-COVID Wave 1 rapidly collected quasi-representative population data to enable evaluation of the early population-level impact of COVID-19 and lockdown measures on SRH in Britain and inform policy. Although sampling was less representative than the decennial Natsals, Natsal-COVID will complement national surveillance data and Natsal-4 (planned for 2022).


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijayan Sharmila ◽  
Thirunavukkarasu Arun Babu

: Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported from China in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared the outbreak as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The number of confirmed cases is rising alarmingly in most countries across all continents over the past few months. The current COVID-19 pandemic has an immense impact on Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with disruptions in regular provision of Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services such as maternal care, safe abortion services, contraception, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Other aspects that merit attention include probable increase in domestic violence, sexual abuse, and effects of stigma associated with coronavirus infection on SRH clients and health care providers. Furthermore, as the coronavirus infection is relatively new, only minimal data is available to understand the impact of this disease on SRH, including coronavirus infection complicating pregnancies, and in people with STI/HIV-related immunosuppression. There is a serious necessity for the medical fraternity to generate psycho-social and clinico-epidemiological correlations between coronavirus disease and SRHR outcomes. The article reviews the hidden impact of coronavirus pandemic on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, particularly in India


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