Sexual and reproductive health (SRH): a key issue in the emergency response to the coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) outbreak

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease outbreak was first declared in China in December 2019, and WHO declared the pandemic on 11 March 2020. A fast-rising number of confirmed cases has been observed in all continents, with Europe at the epicentre of the outbreak at this moment. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights is a significant public health issue during the epidemics. The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is new to humans, and only limited scientific evidence is available to identify the impact of the disease COVID-19 on SRH, including clinical presentation and outcomes of the infection during pregnancy, or for persons with STI/HIV-related immunosuppression. Beyond the clinical scope of SRH, we should not neglect the impacts at the health system level and disruptions or interruptions in regular provision of SRH services, such as preand postnatal checks, safe abortion, contraception, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. Furthermore, other aspects merit attention such as the potential increase of gender-based violence and domestic abuse, and effects of stigma and discrimination associated with COVID-19 and their effects on SRH clients and health care providers. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the scientific community to generate sound clinical, epidemiological, and psycho-social behavioral links between COVID-19 and SRH and rights outcomes.

Violence against women during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An integrative review

“…The link between violence against women and sexual and reproductive rights is another topic discussed by several authors, whose works reinforce the understanding of violence against women as a violation of human rights. Moreover, these studies highlight the need to maintain services that guarantee women's right to sexual and reproductive health care during the pandemic 30,33,34 …”

“…The vulnerability of those who were already experiencing situations of violence before the pandemic has increased. Based on the articles analyzed, it is possible to assert that the pandemic has revealed several situations of rights violations in the life stories of women veterans, 28 migrants, 25 pregnant women, 19,33 puerperal women, 33 and adolescents and young people 7,18,30,31,40 . The pandemic and the measures taken to combat it did not create all observed inequality gaps in the societies 14,23,29,41 .…”

“…Collaborative and integrated work between organizations for the collection of data, indicator selection, impact assessment, and the design of actions against violence are also highlighted 10,12,22,38,44 . The multidisciplinary and intersectoral approach is presented as key in the analyzed articles 18,20,24,33,35,44 . In addition, many formulate questions regarding the role of local and national governments 9,11,21,27,45 …”

“…The authors recommend conducting clinical, epidemiological, and psychosocial research related to COVID‐19 and sexual and reproductive health 10,32,33 . They also underline the need to implement public policies for the prevention, protection, investigation, and punishment of violence, 45 and to create opportunities for the economic independence of vulnerable women 9 .…”

Implications of COVID-19 on The of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Ethiopia

“…A massive transformation of the world's COVID-19 pandemic has brought immense environmental effects [7]. A fastrising number of con rmed cases has been observed in all continents, with Europe at the epicenter of the outbreak at this moment [8]. The case, which was announced on the 14th of March 2020, is the rst one to be reported in Ethiopia since the beginning of the outbreak in China.…”