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Health systems analysis and evaluation of the barriers to availability, utilisation and readiness of sexual and reproductive health services in COVID-19-affected areas: a WHO mixed-methods study protocol.

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posted on 2023-06-10, 04:52 authored by Seni Kouanda, Eunice Nahyuha Chomi, Caron Kim, Sothornwit Jen, Luis Bahamondes, Jose Guilherme Cecatti, Pisake Lumbiganon, Modey Emefa, Vanessa Brizuela, Hamsadvani Kuganantham, Armando Humberto Seuc, Moazzam Ali, Jaime Vera RojasJaime Vera Rojas, WHO HRP Social Science Research Team
Introduction COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented increase in demand on health systems to care for people infected, necessitating the allocation of significant resources, especially medical resources, towards the response. This, compounded by the restrictions on movement instituted may have led to disruptions in the provision of essential services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. This study aims to assess the availability of contraception, comprehensive abortion care, sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment and sexual and gender-based violence care and support services in local health facilities during COVID-19 pandemic. This is a standardised generic protocol designed for use across different global settings. Methods and analysis This study adopts both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess health facilities’ SRH service availability and readiness, and clients’ and providers’ perceptions of the availability and readiness of these services in COVID-19-affected areas. The study has two levels: (1) perceptions of clients (and the partners) and healthcare providers, using qualitative methods, and (2) assessment of infrastructure availability and readiness to provide SRH services through reviews, facility service statistics for clients and a qualitative survey for healthcare provider perspectives. The health system assessment will use a cross-sectional panel survey design with two data collection points to capture changes in SRH services availability as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. Data will be collected using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and a health facility assessment survey. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the WHO Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (protocol ID CERC.0103). Each study site is required to obtain the necessary ethical and regulatory approvals that are required in each specific country.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

BMJ Open

ISSN

2044-6055

Publisher

BMJ

Volume

12

Page range

e057810 1-8

Event location

England

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-09-28

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-09-28

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-09-27

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