Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37682084›Full record

ArticleSexual and reproductive health matters2023

Effects of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health services access in the Asia-Pacific region: a qualitative study of expert and policymaker perspectives.

Manar Marzouk, Sze Tung Lam, Anna Durrance-Bagale, Michiko Nagashima-Hayashi, Pearlyn Neo, Mengieng Ung, Ayshath Zaseela, Zeenathnisa Mougammadou Aribou, Sunanda Agarwal, Natasha Howard

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Sexual and reproductive health matters, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Manar MarzoukResearch Fellow, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Department of Global Health & Development, London, UK; Overseas Research Associate], Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0002-9801-1263
Sze Tung LamVisiting Scholar Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore; Alumnus, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Department of Global Health & Development, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-6033-262X
Anna Durrance-BagaleResearch Fellow, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Department of Global Health & Development, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-6674-1862
Michiko Nagashima-HayashiResearch Associate, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0002-3666-7814
Pearlyn NeoResearch Associate, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0002-7797-8942
Mengieng UngResearch Fellow, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0003-1411-5442
Ayshath ZaseelaIntern, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0002-9727-2664
Zeenathnisa Mougammadou AribouSenior Resident, Preventive Medicine, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.ORCID 0000-0002-7127-7299
Sunanda AgarwalPartner, Stanford University, Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute, Stanford, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-0109-2368
Natasha HowardAssociate Professor, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore; Associate Professor, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Department of Global Health & Development, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-4174-7349

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained health systems globally, with governments imposing strict distancing and movement restrictions. Little is known about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This study examined perceived effects of COVID-19 on SRH service provision and use in the Asia-Pacific region. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 28 purposively sampled SRH experts in 12 Asia-Pacific countries (e.g. United Nations, international and national non-governmental organisations, ministries of health, academia) between November 2020 and January 2021. We analysed data using the six-stage thematic analysis approach proposed by Braun and Clarke (2019). Interviewees reported that COVID-19 mitigation measures, such as transport restrictions and those that decreased the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), reduced SRH service provision and use in most countries. SRH needs related to service barriers and gender-based violence increased. Systemic challenges included fragmented COVID-19 response plans and insufficient communication and collaboration, particularly between public and private sectors. SRH service-delivery challenges included COVID-19 response prioritisation, e.g. SRH staff task-shifting to COVID-19 screening and contact tracing, and lack of necessary supplies and equipment. Innovative SRH delivery responses included door-to-door antenatal care and family planning provision in the Philippines, online platforms for SRH education and outreach in Viet Nam, and increasing SRH service engagement through social media in Myanmar and Indonesia. To ensure continuation of SRH services during health emergencies, governments should earmark human and financial resources and prioritise frontline health-worker safety; work with communities and the private sector; and develop effective risk communications.

Indexed as

COVID-19Reproductive Health ServicesAsiaFemaleHumansPandemicsPregnancySexual BehavioradolescentsAsia and Pacific regionCOVID-19health accesshealth policypandemicservice deliverysexual and reproductive healthwomen

Identifiers

PMID37682084
PMCPMC10494729

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.