Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health in low-and middle-income countries

Salima Meherali, Bisi Adewale, Sonam Ali, Megan Kennedy, Bukola Salami, Solina Richter, Phil E. Okeke-Ihejirika, Parveen Ali, Kênia Lara da Silva, Samuel Adjorlolo, Lydia Aziato, Stephen Owusu Kwankye, Zohra Lassi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Adolescents living in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are struggling with accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and COVID-19 has escalated the problem. The purpose of this review was to identify and assess the existing literature on the impact of the pandemic on SRH needs and access to services by adolescents in LMICs. A scoping review was conducted to collate findings on the topic. Searches were performed on eight databases. Data were extracted and categorized into various themes. After removing duplicates and performing a full-text reading of all articles, nine articles were included in our review. Our findings generated several themes related to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include (1) limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, (2) school closure and increased rate of early marriages, (3) sexual or intimate partner violence during COVID-19, (4) disruption in maternity care, (5) adolescents’ involvement in risky or exploitative work, (6) intervention to improve sexual and reproductive health services during COVID-19, and (7) policy development related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Several recommendations were made on policies—for instance, the use of telemedicine and community-based programs as a way to deliver SRH services to adolescents during and after a pandemic.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13221
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume18
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2021

Keywords

  • Access
  • Adolescents
  • COVID-19
  • Health services
  • Interventions
  • Low-and middle-income countries
  • Reproductive health
  • Sexual health

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