COVID-19 and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for young people: An overview of the international literature and policy

Sturgiss, Elizabeth; Dut, Garang M; Matenge, Sethunya; Desborough, Jane; Dykgraaf, Sally Hall; Mazza, Danielle; Kidd, Michael P.

doi:10.31128/ajgp-10-21-6206

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Our results indicated that 6 out of 10 women were able to access counselling on contraception with a health professional, whether in-person or via telephone calls. Use of the new technologies that comprise Telehealth is an alternative that would have to be considered as an option to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of this collective, and such use should be increased in situations like those that were experienced during confinement, as already pointed out in previous studies [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Studies that have appraised the use of these alternatives to in-person visits have attested to their usefulness to ensure access to the services [ 18 , 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

León-Larios

Reus²,

Pascual

et al. 2022

JCM

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(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenge for women’s sexual and reproductive health care. The objective of this research was to analyse access to sexual and reproductive health services during confinement in Spain. (2) Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample that was stratified by age in July and August 2020. (3) Results: A total of 1800 women were invited to participate, obtaining a response rate of 98.72%. The frequency of sexual relationships reduced during confinement. Counselling was offered both in person (30.7%) and telematically (39%), although there were also women who experienced access problems (30%). Of those women who required some LARC, only half had access to it, mainly due to the contact difficulties as a result of the limited number of consultations with their prescribing physicians. The use of emergency oral contraception and the use of services for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy were considerably reduced. The women who stated having been victims of gender-based violence were those that lived with their aggressors during confinement and had children. (4) Conclusions: It is necessary to ensure sexual and reproductive rights in confinement times and, for such a purpose, telemedicine can be a good tool that helps to avoid unmet contraceptive needs and unplanned pregnancies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

León-Larios

Reus²,

Pascual

et al. 2022

JCM

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“…In a systematic literature review, it was found that the frequency of sexual intercourse varied depending on co-habitation with fewer casual partners and group sex in Australia and the UK, while the use of sex toys and masturbation increased due to the pandemic ( 4 ). Surveys from China, however, reported a reduced frequency of sex, reduced number of partners and increased use of pornography ( 5 ). Moreover, age, relationship status and cohabitation with either partner were identified as factors for sexual frequency and satisfaction during the pandemic ( 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of electronic device use on adolescents' sexual knowledge, attitude and perception during the COVID-19 pandemic: A representative sexuality survey

Tse

Kiu

Yeo

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic has led to school closure and social distancing measures for infection control. Many young people thus spent more time on electronic devices and the Internet. This study aimed to determine if and how sexual knowledge, perception and behavior as well as sexuality among Hong Kong adolescents were affected as a result.MethodsYouth Sexuality Study conducted by The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) evaluated the sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors and sexual health of youth every 5 years since 1981 with adaptations made to the changing environment. We analyzed this cross-sectional data on sexual knowledge, attitude, and experiences as well as the impacts of COVID-19 on daily life, health and relationships. Univariate analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between the time spent on electronic devices and sexuality, while mediation analyses using the PROCESS procedure were performed to further explore differences in time spent on electronic devices.ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of our participants spent more time on social media and browsing the Internet on electronic devices with less time for extracurricular activities and learning. Nonetheless, there was better overall sexual knowledge and a lower degree of sexual stigma with a higher overall acceptance of sexual minorities. The mediation analyses found that sexual content [Conditional effect = 0.024 (95% CI 0.008, 0.043)] and engagement online [Conditional effect = 0.036 (CI 0.021, 0.053)] could indirectly influence the effect of screen time on the frequency of sexual practices.ConclusionPolicymakers and frontline professionals should re-examine the pedagogy of the present sex education and consider online sex education as the key mode of delivery while guiding the proper use of electronic devices in the learning and exploration of sexual knowledge.

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“…3 Previous studies have identified SRH services as particularly vulnerable to the pandemic, being severely affected by supply chain issues, clinic closures, movement restrictions and lack of personal protective equipment, staff and policy support. 4,5 However, the quality and quantity of evidence is limited, being comprised largely of surveys and interviews rather than directly assessing actual health service utilisation. Thus far, no international comparative study has been conducted to examine quantitatively the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on SRH services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These services are designed to provide information, education and counselling to help individuals make informed decisions about their SRH, as well as to prevent and manage conditions that affect the reproductive system 3 . Previous studies have identified SRH services as particularly vulnerable to the pandemic, being severely affected by supply chain issues, clinic closures, movement restrictions and lack of personal protective equipment, staff and policy support 4,5 . However, the quality and quantity of evidence is limited, being comprised largely of surveys and interviews rather than directly assessing actual health service utilisation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global impacts of COVID‐19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services: An international comparative study on primary care from the INTRePID Consortium

Peng,

Tu,

et al. 2023

BJOG

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ObjectiveTo understand how the COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted sexual and reproductive health (SRH) visits.DesignAn ecological study comparing SRH services volume in different countries before and after the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic.SettingSeven countries from the INTernational ConsoRtium of Primary Care BIg Data Researchers (INTRePID) across four continents.PopulationOver 3.8 million SRH visits to primary care physicians in Australia, China, Canada, Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the USA.MethodsDifference in average SRH monthly visits before and during the pandemic, with negative binomial regression modelling to compare predicted and observed number of visits during the pandemic for SRH visits.Main outcome measuresMonthly number of visits to primary care physicians from 2018 to 2021.ResultsDuring the pandemic, the average volume of monthly SRH visits increased in Canada (15.6%, 99% CI 8.1–23.0%) where virtual care was pronounced. China, Singapore, Sweden and the USA experienced a decline (−56.5%, 99% CI −74.5 to −38.5%; −22.7%, 99% CI −38.8 to −6.5%; −19.4%, 99% CI −28.3 to −10.6%; and −22.7%, 99% CI −38.8 to −6.5%, respectively); while Australia and Norway showed insignificant changes (6.5%, 99% CI −0.7 to –13.8% and 1.7%, 99% CI −6.4 to –9.8%). The countries that maintained (Australia, Norway) or surpassed (Canada) pre‐pandemic visit rates had the greatest use of virtual care.ConclusionsIn‐person SRH visits to primary care decreased during the pandemic. Virtual care seemed to counterbalance that decline. Although cervical cancer screening appeared insensitive to virtual care, strategies such as incorporating self‐collected samples for HPV testing may provide a solution in a future pandemic.

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COVID-19 and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for young people: An overview of the international literature and policy

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Women’s Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Women’s Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Impacts of electronic device use on adolescents' sexual knowledge, attitude and perception during the COVID-19 pandemic: A representative sexuality survey

Global impacts of COVID‐19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services: An international comparative study on primary care from the INTRePID Consortium

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