Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Challenges among Ugandan Youth during COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown: An online Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and sexual and reproductive health rights services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the challenges to sexual and reproductive health and rights among Ugandan youth during the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18 to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.5%) reported not having testing and treatment services of Sexual transmitted Infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to health facility where to get the services (55.2%), cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted diseases were the commonest (40.4%) challenge relating to SRH during this lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuses (32.4%). The Multivariate Regression Analysis shows that challenges were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), p<0.001] followed by unemployed (Volunteer or unpaid) [APR: 1.6 (1.03 - 2.64), p: 0.037] than others participants. Conclusions The findings of this study show that Ugandan youths have challenges to access to SRHR information and services during lockdown due to COVID-19. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were mostly affected among Ugandan youths. Lack of transport means and cost of services were the limiting factors to access SRHR services among youths. Therefore, effective measures should be put in place to ensure access and availability of SRHR for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.

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

“…Seven studies addressed STI care outcomes. [126][127][128][129][130][131][132] Three of these were prospective observational quantitative studies.…”

“…Six studies assessed the general public. 126-131 A Ugandan crosssectional observational quantitative study found reduced access to STI testing and treatment during lockdown 128 and two other studies (Italy, Spain) found a decline in the number of STI cases reported since the onset of the pandemic. 126 127 Sexual and gender minorities…”

Assessment of Reproductive Health Status and Quality of Life of Female Adolescents Living in the Slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh During COVID-19 Pandemic Situation: A Mixed-Method Study

“…This scenario is consistent with The Guttmacher Institute, New York, where they estimated a 10% decline in service coverage of essential pregnancy and newborn care in 132 low-and middle-income countries during a pandemic could lead to a huge number of additional women experiencing major obstetric complications without care, additional maternal deaths, additional newborns experiencing major complications without care and an additional newborn death. Similarly, a study amongst Ugandan youths by Mambo et al, 2020 revealed that 8 out of 44 young women (15-24 years) who were pregnant could not get maternity care during the pandemic and 5 out of 24 (15-24 years) participants who had a miscarriage could not take treatment.…”

“…(Riley et al, 2020). There was also a rise in unwanted pregnancies and those adolescents did not get proper follow-up (Mambo et al, 2020).…”

Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Pernikahan Dini di Era Covid-19: Literature Review

“…Sepaham dari penelitian sebelumnya, penelitian dari Mambo et al (2020) dengan metode cross sectional mengatakan 32,4% pelecehan seksual terjadi di Uganda selama lockdown. Apabila kejadian seperti ini terungkap, kemudian korban mengalami kehamilan tidak diinginkan, maka akan terjadi pernikahan anak usia dini (16).…”