Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Function: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has affected many people in the world and has impacted the physical, social, and mental health of the world population. One of these psychological consequences is intimate partner violence affecting sexual health. Methods: This study was performed as a systematic review on the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on sexual function and domestic violence in the world. Accordingly, all English-language studies conducted from the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to the end of 2020 were extracted by searching in the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed (including Medline), Cochrane Library, and Science Direct databases and then reviewed. The quality of the articles was assessed using the STROBE checklist. Results: A total of 11 studies were included in the systematic review. Accordingly, domestic violence during the exposure to COVID-19 had increased. Moreover, the mean scores of sexual function and its components had reduced at the time of exposure to the pandemic compared to before. Conclusion: Given the potential long-term effects of the coronavirus crisis and the large population being affected by this disease, strategies to promote sexual health and fertility of families to prevent or further reduce violence and sexual functions should be chosen.

Intimate Partner Violence and Women’s Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

“…The pandemic exacerbated domestic violence rates worldwide (Bazyar et al, 2021;Vieira et al, 2020). In agreement, our study showed higher rates (33.3%) of recent IPV among participants compared to the 7.60% rates in Brazil in 2019.…”

“…In this context, an increase in violence was observed precisely due to forced coexistence, economic stress, and fears due to the pandemic [14][15][16], associated with the lack of network support. A systematic review of the effects of the pandemic on IPV showed that this type of violence against women increased extensively around the world during the outbreak [17]. In Brazil, calls reporting violence against women increased by 17.9% in March and 37.6% in April 2020, compared to the same period in 2019 [18].…”

Mental health of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 during mandated isolation and compliance with recommendations—A population-based cohort study

“…Taking care of children had a significant impact on the difficulty of isolation, the ease to comply with regulations and even the perceived information status of participants. Parents had more problems maintaining harmony at home, which aligns with reports of more domestic violence reported all over the world [ 25 ]. Especially those between 18–39 years of age had more difficulties when compared to those older than 40 years, which is likely due to the younger age of their children who need even more attention.…”

Changes in Prevalence and Severity of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…Fourth, a systematic review focusing on IPV as well as sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic included 11 cross-sectional studies published until the end of 2020, 5 of which reported on IPV. The authors showed that IPV against women increased during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 33 ). Taken together, all prior reviews suggest an increase in DV during the pandemic.…”