Sexual and reproductive health in Ethiopia: gains and reflections over the past two decades

DeMaria, Lisa; Smith, Kimberly V.; Berhane, Yemane

doi:10.1186/s12978-022-01464-0

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Ethiopia has significantly improved maternal and reproductive health outcomes over the past two decades. Some of the strategies that have been used include increasing access to family planning services, improving the quality of maternal and child health services, and training more health workers (DeMaria, Smith, Berhame, 2022, andAkwara, Worknesh, Oljiru, Mengesha, Asnake, Sisay, Demerwe, Plesons, Shirka, Hadush &Chandra-Mouli, 2022).…”

Section: Ethiopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Health and the Women of Lesotho: The Challenges

Mukurunge

Rapitse²,

Bhila

2023

JIR

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Reproductive health is a right every citizen can enjoy without fear or prejudice. However, in conservative societies, discussing or educating young people on reproductive health is taboo. Lesotho is one such society debilitated by tendencies where openly discussing reproductive health in the home between children and their parents barely exists. This study, therefore, sought to explore the subject matter of reproductive health, demystify it and promote health communication on the issue for a healthier society. The study employed the qualitative approach, interviewing women from the cross-section of society indiscriminately, and presented and analyzed the findings qualitatively.

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Section: Ethiopiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Health and the Women of Lesotho: The Challenges

Mukurunge

Rapitse²,

Bhila

2023

JIR

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“…When COVID-19 was first detected in the east African country of Ethiopia, there was concern that the pandemic would threaten the strides the country has made in improving reproductive health over the past twenty years [ 12 , 13 ]. Access to sexual and reproductive health care has improved considerably due to successful efforts to strengthen the country’s health system and develop supportive reproductive health policies [ 14 ]. From 2000 to 2018, per capita health expenditure increased from $5 USD to $27 USD [ 12 , 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The abortion law was liberalized in 2005, expanding the legal grounds for abortion and the types of providers that can offer the service [ 18 ]. Despite this progress, gaps in access to SRH services and information persist, and the health system remains under resourced [ 12 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of COVID-19 on reproductive health service provision, access, and utilization in Ethiopia: Results from a qualitative study with service users, providers, and stakeholders

Chekol¹,

Muluye²,

Sheehy³

2023

PLOS Glob Public Health

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Ethiopia has made significant improvements to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in recent decades, yet the COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges to SRH service delivery. In the early months of the pandemic, health facility and health management information system data showed reductions in SRH service utilization, however more evidence is needed on ongoing SRH impacts to inform policy and program decision-making. Our study aimed to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on SRH service utilization and access from the perspective of providers, clients, and stakeholders in Addis Ababa and Amhara Regional State. We collected data from May through July 2021 via six focus group discussions with health service providers, 50 in-depth interviews with SRH service clients and 15 key informant interviews with policy and programmatic stakeholders. All audio recordings were transcribed and translated from Amharic into English. Data were coded and analyzed for content and themes using Excel and NVivo 10. We found that COVID-19 and associated public health mitigation measures had consequences on SRH prioritization, funding, and service delivery. Efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19, such as gathering and transportation restrictions, also reduced access to SRH services. Fear of infection, costly and inaccessible transportation, commodity stockouts, and limited service availability all impeded access to and use of SRH services. For some women, this meant losing timely access to contraception and subsequently facing unwanted pregnancies. Providers experienced increased workloads, anxiety, and stigma as possible sources of infection. Our findings offer useful learnings for program and policy stakeholders aiming to meet SRH needs during the pandemic, and during times of crisis more broadly.

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“… 29 , 30 Moreover, gender and power disparities, as evidenced by high rates of child marriage, IPV, and female genital cutting, 27 may impede women’s access to and use of contraception. While Ethiopia has made considerable progress in improving access to reproductive health services nationally, regional disparities persist among several key reproductive health outcomes; 31 , 32 specifically, 16% of women in rural areas have an unmet need for contraception, compared to only 8% of urban women. 26 There is further variation in access to reproductive health services across regions (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…health facilities are much more widely available in urban centres both within regions and in the capital of Addis Ababa), which is associated with differential use of contraceptive and maternal health services. 32 , 33 Regional disparities are compounded with high rates of child marriage, IPV, and female genital mutilation. 27 , 31 The percentage of women aged 15–19 who have begun childbearing ranges from 23% in Afar to 3% in Addis Ababa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregnancy coercion, correlates, and associated modern contraceptive use within a nationally representative sample of Ethiopian women

Wood

Dozier

Karp

et al. 2022

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

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Partner-perpetrated pregnancy coercion inhibits women’s reproductive autonomy. However, few studies have quantified pregnancy coercion and its effects on women’s health within low- and middle-income countries. Among a national sample of Ethiopian women, this study aimed to: (1) assess the prevalence of past-year pregnancy coercion and explore regional differences; (2) identify correlates; (3) examine the relationship between pregnancy coercion and modern contraceptive use. Analyses utilise cross-sectional data from Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA)-Ethiopia, a nationally representative sample of females aged 15–49 conducted from October to November 2019. Past-year pregnancy coercion was assessed via five items and analysed dichotomously and categorically for severity. Among women in need of contraception, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression examined associations between variables of interest, per aim, accounting for sampling weights and clustering by enumeration area. Approximately 20% of Ethiopian women reported past-year pregnancy coercion (11.4% less severe; 8.6% more severe), ranging from 16% in Benishangul-Gumuz to 35% in Dire Dawa. Increasing parity was associated with decreased odds of pregnancy coercion. Among women in need of contraception, experience of pregnancy coercion was associated with a 32% decrease in odds of modern contraceptive use (aOR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.53–0.89); when disaggregated by severity, odds decreased for most severe pregnancy coercion (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.41–0.83). Results indicate that partner-perpetrated pregnancy coercion is prevalent across diverse regions of Ethiopia, and most severe forms could interrupt recent gains in contraceptive coverage and progress to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Providers must be aware of potential contraceptive interference and address coercive influences during contraceptive counselling.

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Sexual and reproductive health in Ethiopia: gains and reflections over the past two decades

Cited by 12 publications

References 22 publications

Reproductive Health and the Women of Lesotho: The Challenges

Reproductive Health and the Women of Lesotho: The Challenges

Impacts of COVID-19 on reproductive health service provision, access, and utilization in Ethiopia: Results from a qualitative study with service users, providers, and stakeholders

Pregnancy coercion, correlates, and associated modern contraceptive use within a nationally representative sample of Ethiopian women

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