Challenges in Access and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Uganda: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Mambo, Simon Binezero; Sikakulya, Franck Katembo; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Mulumba, Yusuf; Wasswa, Henry; Mbina, Solomon Adomi; Rusatira, Jean Christophe; Bhondoekhan, Fiona; Kamyuka, Louis K.; Akib, Surat Olabisi; Kirimuhuzya, Claude; Nakawesi, Jane; Kyamanywa, Patrick

doi:10.3389/frph.2021.705609

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Recent studies have reported that COVID-19 lockdown measures have a wide breadth of sexual and reproductive health consequences in women of reproductive age ( 28 – 30 ). One recent study reported that women experienced more frequent irregular cycles during the pandemic ( 31 , 32 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Menstrual cycles during COVID-19 lockdowns: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chao

Menon²,

Elgendi³

2022

Front. Reprod. Health

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Coronavirus disease 2019 lockdowns produced psychological and lifestyle consequences for women of reproductive age and changes in their menstrual cycles. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to characterize changes in menstrual cycle length associated with lockdowns compared to non-lockdown periods. A search on 5 May 2022 retrieved articles published between 1 December 2019, and 1 May 2022, from Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. The included articles were peer-reviewed observational studies with full texts in English, that reported menstrual cycle lengths during lockdowns and non-lockdowns. Cross-sectional and cohort studies were appraised using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Cohort Studies, respectively. Review Manager was used to generate a forest plot with odds ratios (OR) at the 95% confidence interval (CI), finding a significant association between lockdown and menstrual cycle length changes for 21,729 women of reproductive age (OR = 9.14, CI: 3.16–26.50) with a significant overall effect of the mean (Z = 4.08, p < 0.0001). High heterogeneity with significant dispersion of values was observed (I2 = 99%, τ = 1.40, χ2 = 583.78, p < 0.0001). This review was limited by the availability of published articles that favored high-income countries. The results have implications for adequately preparing women and assisting them with menstrual concerns during lockdown periods.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Menstrual cycles during COVID-19 lockdowns: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chao

Menon²,

Elgendi³

2022

Front. Reprod. Health

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“…Other than lock down and restriction of movement, distance to the health facilities also contributed as a barrier to accessing reproductive health services. This was not only unique to Kenya but other countries as well (11,(13)(14)(15).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Uptake of Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health in the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic in Kenya

Jebet,

Muia,

Ongeso

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 led to the destabilization of all sectors globally including access to health care. The strain on the healthcare system as a result of the disease outbreak led to a shift in operations in the healthcare system. Maternal and neonatal care was affected as women and their families could not freely access health care owing to the restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. This led to a risk of a reversal in the gains made in maternal and neonatal health, prompting the need to strengthen community midwifery. Aim: This study aimed to strengthen community reproductive, maternal and newborn health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. Materials and methods: This is part of an interventional study that sought to strengthen community maternal and neonatal health services. A baseline survey was conducted to assess the uptake of reproductive, maternal and neonatal care services in one sub-county in Kilifi and Kitui, where five wards in each sub-county were selected. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The sample size for the two Counties was 414. Results: There was a total of 378 respondents mostly comprising a rural population 75.7% (n=286). Outpatient and COVID-19 services (tests and vaccine) were most sought at 37.5% (n=137) and 29.9% (n=109) respectively. Antenatal care services were sought by 26% (n=95) of the respondents, postnatal care 9% (n=33) and skilled birth attendance 8.8% (n=32). Conclusion: The most utilized health facility services were outpatient and COVID-19 services. Antenatal care was also sought, however skilled birth attendance and postnatal care services were least sought.

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“…Various studies report accessibility of healthcare services as a common challenge for young women (26, 27). By affording individuals the opportunity to self-collect specimens in a place that is convenient for them, self-sampling intervention improves accessibility (28, 29).…”

Section: Methods and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Preferences of Young Women in Self-Sampling Interventions for STI Diagnosis: A Discrete Choice Experiment Protocol

Jaya,

Mapanga,

Mashamba-Thompson

2024

Preprint

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IntroductionSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health concern globally, particularly affecting young women. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reducing or stopping the continuous spread of infections and the development of the associated complications. Syndromic management, which is commonly used for STIs, presents several barriers, particularly for young women. This protocol is for a study that aims to understand young women’s preferences for a self-sampling intervention for STI diagnosis by using a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE).Methods and analysisThe following attributes of a self-sampling intervention were identified through a Nominal Group Technique: accessibility, education, confidentiality, self-sampling method, youth-friendliness, and cost. A pilot study involving 20 participants was conducted to refine the DCE questionnaire. A total of 196 young women from underserved communities will be recruited. The participants will be sampled from communities, stratified by settlement type and socioeconomic status. Data will be analysed using the multinomial logit model and mixed logit model to assess preferences and heterogeneity.Ethics and disseminationThe study findings have the potential to inform policies for STI treatment and management to align healthcare services with user preferences. This can improve STI healthcare access for young women in underserved communities. Ethical approval was obtained, and results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and health conferences.Strengths and limitations of this studyDCEs provide a platform for users or consumers to express their preference for particular goods or services based on their attribute selection.Previously STI healthcare service provision has not been aligned with the preferences of young women. Therefore, this will reveal their preferences for a self-sampling intervention for STI healthcare and management.In instances where user preferences do not align with current practices for STI healthcare, this will provide an opportunity for policies to be reviewed and amended accordingly.This type of impact on STI healthcare aligns with goal 3.1 of South Africa’s National Strategic Plan which seeks to improve access to healthcare services for STIs and other diseases (1). It also aligns with goal three of the United Nations which seeks to improve access to healthcare for all and thus achieve universal healthcare coverage (2, 3).Since our study will be conducted on young women residing in underserved urban populations, our findings may not be a true reflection of young women from diverse communities.

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Challenges in Access and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Uganda: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Cited by 13 publications

References 18 publications

Menstrual cycles during COVID-19 lockdowns: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Menstrual cycles during COVID-19 lockdowns: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Uptake of Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health in the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic in Kenya

Understanding the Preferences of Young Women in Self-Sampling Interventions for STI Diagnosis: A Discrete Choice Experiment Protocol

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