Midwives' experience of telehealth and remote care: a systematic mixed methods review.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing the midwifery workforce has been identified as an evidence-based approach to decrease maternal mortality and reproductive health disparities worldwide. Concurrently, the profession of midwifery, as with all healthcare professions, has undergone a significant shift in practice with acceleration of telehealth use to expand access. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify and synthesize the existing evidence regarding how midwives experience, perceive and accept providing sexual and reproductive healthcare services at a distance with telehealth. METHODS: Five databases were searched, PubMed, CINHAL, PsychInfo, Embase and the Web of Science, using search terms related to 'midwives', 'telehealth' and 'experience'. Peer-reviewed studies with quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods designs published in English were retrieved and screened. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were subjected to full-text data extraction and appraisal of quality. Using a convergent approach, the findings were synthesized into major themes and subthemes. RESULTS: After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 10 articles on midwives' experience of telehealth were reviewed. The major themes that emerged were summarized as integrating telehealth into clinical practice; balancing increased connectivity; challenges with building relationships via telehealth; centring some patients while distancing others; and experiences of telehealth by age and professional experience. CONCLUSIONS: Most current studies suggest that midwives' experience of telehealth is deeply intertwined with midwives' experience of the response to COVID-19 pandemic in general. More research is needed to understand how sustained use of telehealth or newer hybrid models of telehealth and in-person care are perceived by midwives.

Recomendaciones para la atención de las principales emergencias obstétricas

Esta edición de Recomendaciones para la atención de las principales emergencias obstétricas incluye la actualización de los capítulos Estados hipertensivos del embarazo, Hemorragia postparto, Reanimación cardiovascular en el embarazo, Sistema de alerta temprano y equipos de respuesta rápida en Obstetricia. Siguiendo el sistema GRADE para definir la calidad de la evidencia y la fortaleza de la recomendación se plantean recomendaciones para el abordaje del tromboembolismo pulmonar y embarazo, embolismo de líquido amniótico, Covid-19 y embarazo, influenza y embarazo y sepsis materna. Con esta publicación se busca apoyar los esfuerzos para lograr la concretización de la meta 3.1 de los ODS de reducir la tasa mundial de mortalidad materna a menos de 70 por cada 100.00 nacidos vivos hasta el 2030.

Effect of COVID-19 on sexual function and activities among reproductive-age women in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria.

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 disease, the environment, families, individuals, and their ways of living have been affected. Social distancing was one of the strategies for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It led to limited social interactions for fear of contracting the infection, which ultimately affected relationships, among which is sexual health. Aim: To determine the risk of female sexual dysfunction and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual function and activities among women of reproductive age in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study of 218 reproductive-age women evaluated the sexual function before, during, and after the COVID-19 disease pandemic and lockdown. Pretested semistructured self-administered questionnaires with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used for data collection. Information collected included sociodemographic and gynecologic characteristics and COVID-19 experiences, as well as sexual history and function before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The level of significance was set at P < .05. Outcomes: Respondents were aged 20 to 50 years (95%) with a mean ± SD age of 34.82 ± 8.52 years; the majority were married (75.58%); one-fifth (21.9%) tested positive for COVID-19 infection; and participants who tested positive for COVID-19 infections were mostly health care workers. Results: An absence of sexual activity was reported in 9.18% of participants during lockdown, 7.73% before lockdown, and 4.18% after lockdown. The risk of female sexual dysfunction was prevalent among participants, especially those who tested positive for COVID-19 infection. The prevalence was worse during the pandemic lockdown (53.57%) than before (48.39%) or after (51.61%), and a similar pattern was seen among those who tested negative. There was no statistically significant difference in risk of developing sexual dysfunction during the COVID-19 pandemic between those who tested positive and negative to COVID-19. The arousal and desire domains contributed the highest proportion of low FSFI scores. Clinical Implications: Nationwide lockdowns, which may be a method of control for pandemics, may result in psychosocial complications such as female sexual dysfunction. Strength and Limitations: Most respondents had tertiary education and were able to respond to self-administered questionnaires, yet the risk of recall bias remains a concern whereas the pandemic met the world unprepared and baseline FSFI prior the pandemic was not available for participants. There are no local validation studies for the FSFI in Nigeria, which could have aided interpretation of results. Conclusion: A low FSFI score is prevalent in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria, with a higher incidence reported during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Impact of COVID-19 on access to and delivery of sexual and reproductive healthcare services in countries with universal healthcare systems: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unforeseen impacts on sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) services worldwide, and the nature and prevalence of these changes have not been extensively synthesized. We sought to synthesise reported outcomes on the impact of COVID-19 on SRH access and delivery in comparable countries with universal healthcare systems. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and CINAHL from January 1st, 2020 to June 6th, 2023. Original research was eligible for inclusion if the study reported on COVID-19 and SRH access and/or delivery. Twenty-eight OECD countries with comparable economies and universal healthcare systems were included. We extracted study characteristics, participant characteristics, study design, and outcome variables. The methodological quality of each article was assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies (QuADS) tool. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for reporting the results. This study was registered on PROSPERO (#CRD42021245596). SYNTHESIS: Eighty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Findings were qualitatively synthesised into the domains of: antepartum care, intrapartum care, postpartum care, assisted reproductive technologies, abortion access, gynaecological care, sexual health services, and HIV care. Research was concentrated in relatively few countries. Access and delivery were negatively impacted by a variety of factors, including service disruptions, unclear communication regarding policy decisions, decreased timeliness of care, and fear of COVID-19 exposure. Across outpatient services, providers favoured models of care that avoided in-person appointments. Hospitals prioritized models of care that reduced time and number of people in hospital and aerosol-generating environments. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, studies demonstrated reduced access and delivery across most domains of SRH services during COVID-19. Variations in service restrictions and accommodations were heterogeneous within countries and between institutions. Future work should examine long-term impacts of COVID-19, underserved populations, and underrepresented countries.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Adolescent Females During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) posed a significant threat to adolescents' sexual and reproductive health. In this study, we examined population-level pregnancy and sexual health-related care utilization among adolescent females in Ontario, Canada during the pandemic and evaluated relationships between these outcomes and key sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: This was a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study of >630 000 female adolescents (12-19 years) during the prepandemic (January 1, 2018-February 29, 2020) and COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020-December 31, 2022) periods. Primary outcome was pregnancy; secondary outcomes were contraceptive management visits, contraception prescription uptake, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) management visits. Poisson models with generalized estimating equations for clustered count data were used to model pre-COVID-19 trends and forecast expected rates during the COVID-19 period. Absolute rate differences between observed and expected outcome rates for each pandemic month were calculated overall and by urbanicity, neighborhood income, immigration status, and region. RESULTS: During the pandemic, lower-than-expected population-level rates of adolescent pregnancy (rate ratio 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.85-0.88), and encounters for contraceptive (rate ratio 0.82; 95% CI:0.77-0.88) and STI management (rate ratio 0.52; 95% CI:0.51-0.53) were observed. Encounter rates did not return to pre-pandemic rates by study period end, despite health system reopening. Pregnancy rates among adolescent subpopulations with the highest pre-pandemic pregnancy rates changed least during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Population-level rates of adolescent pregnancy and sexual health-related care utilization were lower than expected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and below-expected care utilization rates persist. Pregnancy rates among more structurally vulnerable adolescents demonstrated less decline, suggesting exacerbation of preexisting inequities.

Planning with a gender lens: A gender analysis of pandemic preparedness plans from eight countries in Africa.

Background: Health planning and priority setting with a gender lens can help to anticipate and mitigate vulnerabilities that women and girls may experience in health systems, which is especially relevant during health emergencies. This study examined how gender considerations were accounted for in COVID-19 pandemic response planning in a subset of countries in Africa. Methods: Multi-country document review of national pandemic response plans (published before July 2020 and as of March 2022) from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia, supplemented with secondary data on gender representation on planning committees. A gender analysis framework informed the study design and the Morgan et al. matrix guided data extraction and analysis. Results: All plans reflected implicit and explicit considerations of the impacts of the pandemic responses on women and girls. Through a gender lens, the implicit considerations focused on ensuring safety and protections (e.g., training, access to personal protective equipment) for community and facility-based health care workers and broad engagement of the community in risk communication. The explicit gender considerations, reflected in a minority of plans, focused on addressing gender-based violence and providing access to essential services (e.g., sexual and reproductive health care, psychosocial supports), products (e.g., menstrual hygiene products) and social protection measures. Women were underrepresented on the COVID-19 planning committees in all countries. Conclusions: The plans reflected varying national efforts to develop pandemic responses that anticipated and reflected unique vulnerabilities faced by women, though subsequent plans reflected further consideration of gender-relevant impacts compared to initial plans. Embedding a gender lens in emergency preparedness planning furthers equity and could support anticipation and timely mitigation of negative outcomes for women and girls who are often further marginalized during health emergencies.

HIV Vulnerabilities Associated with Water Insecurity, Food Insecurity, and Other COVID-19 Impacts Among Urban Refugee Youth in Kampala, Uganda: Multi-method Findings.

Food insecurity (FI) and water insecurity (WI) are linked with HIV vulnerabilities, yet how these resource insecurities shape HIV prevention needs is understudied. We assessed associations between FI and WI and HIV vulnerabilities among urban refugee youth aged 16-24 in Kampala, Uganda through individual in-depth interviews (IDI) (n = 24), focus groups (n = 4), and a cross-sectional survey (n = 340) with refugee youth, and IDI with key informants (n = 15). Quantitative data was analysed via multivariable logistic and linear regression to assess associations between FI and WI with: reduced pandemic sexual and reproductive health (SRH) access; past 3-month transactional sex (TS); unplanned pandemic pregnancy; condom self-efficacy; and sexual relationship power (SRP). We applied thematic analytic approaches to qualitative data. Among survey participants, FI and WI were commonplace (65% and 47%, respectively) and significantly associated with: reduced SRH access (WI: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-3.08; FI: aOR: 2.31. 95%CI: 1.36-3.93), unplanned pregnancy (WI: aOR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.24-6.17; FI: aOR: 2.62, 95%CI: 1.03-6.66), and TS (WI: aOR: 3.09, 95%CI: 1.22-7.89; FI: aOR: 3.51, 95%CI: 1.15-10.73). WI participants reported lower condom self-efficacy (adjusted ß= -3.98, 95%CI: -5.41, -2.55) and lower SRP (adjusted ß= -2.58, 95%CI= -4.79, -0.37). Thematic analyses revealed: (1) contexts of TS, including survival needs and pandemic impacts; (2) intersectional HIV vulnerabilities; (3) reduced HIV prevention/care access; and (4) water insecurity as a co-occurring socio-economic stressor. Multi-method findings reveal FI and WI are linked with HIV vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for HIV prevention to address co-occurring resource insecurities with refugee youth.

Global impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services: An international comparative study on primary care from the INTRePID Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sexual and reproductive health (SRH) visits. DESIGN: An ecological study comparing SRH services volume in different countries before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. SETTING: Seven countries from the INTernational ConsoRtium of Primary Care BIg Data Researchers (INTRePID) across four continents. POPULATION: Over 3.8 million SRH visits to primary care physicians in Australia, China, Canada, Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the USA. METHODS: Difference in average SRH monthly visits before and during the pandemic, with negative binomial regression modelling to compare predicted and observed number of visits during the pandemic for SRH visits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Monthly number of visits to primary care physicians from 2018 to 2021. RESULTS: During the pandemic, the average volume of monthly SRH visits increased in Canada (15.6%, 99% CI 8.1-23.0%) where virtual care was pronounced. China, Singapore, Sweden and the USA experienced a decline (-56.5%, 99% CI -74.5 to -38.5%; -22.7%, 99% CI -38.8 to -6.5%; -19.4%, 99% CI -28.3 to -10.6%; and -22.7%, 99% CI -38.8 to -6.5%, respectively); while Australia and Norway showed insignificant changes (6.5%, 99% CI -0.7 to -13.8% and 1.7%, 99% CI -6.4 to -9.8%). The countries that maintained (Australia, Norway) or surpassed (Canada) pre-pandemic visit rates had the greatest use of virtual care. CONCLUSIONS: In-person SRH visits to primary care decreased during the pandemic. Virtual care seemed to counterbalance that decline. Although cervical cancer screening appeared insensitive to virtual care, strategies such as incorporating self-collected samples for HPV testing may provide a solution in a future pandemic.

Task shifting healthcare services in the post-COVID world: A scoping review.

Task shifting (TS) is the redistribution of healthcare services from specialised to less-qualified providers. Need for TS was intensified during COVID-19. We explore what impact TS had on service delivery during the pandemic and examine how the pandemic affected TS strategies globally. We searched five databases in October 2022, namely Medline, CINAHL Plus, Elsevier, Global Health and Google Scholar. 35 citations were selected following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We analysed data thematically and utilised the WHO health systems framework and emergent themes to frame findings. We uncovered instances of TS in countries across all income levels. 63% (n = 22) of the articles discussed the impact of TS on healthcare services. These encompassed services related to mental healthcare, HIV, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition and rheumatoid diseases. The remaining 37% (n = 13) focused on how the pandemic altered strategies for TS, particularly in services related to mental healthcare, HIV, hypertension, diabetes and emergency care. We also found that studies differed in how they reported TS, with majority using terms "task shifting", followed by "task sharing", "task shifting and sharing" and "task delegation". Our analysis demonstrates that TS had a substantial impact across healthcare systems. Modifying roles through training and collaboration strengthened workforce and enhanced diagnostic services. Strategic leadership played a crucial role in the process. More research on the financial aspects of TS during pandemics is required. Stakeholders generally accepted TS, but transferring staff between healthcare programs caused unintended disruptions. The pandemic reshaped TS, moving training, patient care and consultations to digital platforms. Virtual interventions showed promise, but digital access remained a challenge. Healthcare organisations adapted by modifying procedures, pathways and staff precautions. We recommend refining strategies for TS, and expanding on it to address workforce shortages, improve access, and enhance services, not only during crises but also beyond.

Infertilidade, justiça reprodutiva e pandemia de COVID-19: reflexões sobre acesso e barreiras / Infertility, reproductive justice and the COVID-19 pandemic: reflections on access and barriers / Infertilidad, justicia reproductiva y la pandemia de COVID-19: reflexiones sobre acceso y barreras

Objetivo: refletir sobre o acesso a serviços de saúde para infertilidade e reprodução humana assistida durante o período da pandemia de COVID-19, na perspectiva da justiça reprodutiva. Metodologia: utilizou-se dados do inquérito online da pesquisa Pandemia de COVID-19e práticas reprodutivas de mulheres no Brasil, que obteve 8.313 respostas de mulheres residentes em todas as regiões do país, de 18 anos ou mais. O questionário autoaplicável circulou entre julho e outubro de 2021, contendo questões fechadas e abertas. A análise descritiva das respostas objetivas de 242 mulheres que referiram buscar atendimento para infertilidade contou com o cálculo de frequências simples das variáveis. Já os textos escritos nos espaços abertos do questionário foram submetidos à análise temática. Resultados: o estudo verificou a existência de barreiras institucionais e não institucionais para os cuidados da infertilidade, ambas incrementadas pela pandemia. Conclusão: recomenda-se a efetivação de política pública que garanta acesso pleno a todas as pessoas, haja vista que o tratamento para infertilidade e reprodução assistida tende a se restringir a mulheres cisgênero, de camadas médias e altas, mais escolarizadas e majoritariamente brancas.

Objective: to critically examine access to health services for infertility and assisted human reproduction during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the perspective of reproductive justice. Methods: data for analysis were derived from the online survey titled COVID-19 Pandemic and Women's Reproductive Practices in Brazil, garnering 8,313 responses from women aged 18 years or older residing in all regions of the country. The self-administered questionnaire circulated from July to October 2021 and comprised both closed and open-ended questions. Descriptive analysis of the objective responses obtained from 242 women actively seeking infertility care involved the calculation of simple frequencies for relevant variables. Responses provided in the open-ended sections of the questionnaire underwent thematic analysis. Results: revealed the presence of both institutional and non-institutional barriers to infertility care, with a notable exacerbation during the pandemic. Conclusion: given that infertility and assisted reproduction treatment predominantly cater to cisgender women from middle and upper socio-economic strata, characterized by higher education levels and mostly white, there is a compelling need for the implementation of public policies that ensure equitable access for all individuals.

Objetivo: reflexionar sobre el acceso a los servicios de salud para la infertilidad y la reproducción humana asistida durante el período de la pandemia de COVID-19, desde la perspectiva de la justicia reproductiva. Metodología: se utilizaron datos de la encuesta en línea de la Pandemia de COVID-19y prácticas reproductivas de las mujeres en Brasil, que obtuvo 8.313 respuestas de mujeres residentes en todas las regiones del país, con edad igual o superior a 18 años. El cuestionario autoaplicado circuló entre julio y octubre de 2021, conteniendo preguntas cerradas y abiertas. El análisis descriptivo de las respuestas objetivas de 242 mujeres que relataron buscar atención por infertilidad implicó el cálculo de frecuencias simples de las variables. Los textos escritos en los espacios abiertos del cuestionario fueron sometidos a análisis temático. Resultados:el estudio verificó la existencia de barreras institucionales y no institucionales para la atención de la infertilidad, ambas aumentadas por la pandemia. Conclusión: se recomiendala implementación de una política pública que garantice el pleno acceso a todas las personas, dado que el tratamiento de la infertilidad y reproducción asistida tiende a estar restringido a mujeres cisgénero de clase media y alta, con mayor educación y en su mayoría blancas.

Acciones para el aborto seguro durante la pandemia: el caso de las prácticas de dos organizaciones de Argentina / Actions for safe abortion during the pandemic: The case of the practices of two organizations in Argentina / Ações para o aborto seguro durante a pandemia: o caso das práticas de duas organizações na Argentina

Objetivo: abordar las acciones de acompañamiento a la interrupción legal y voluntaria del embarazo en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19 por parte de las organizaciones Socorristas en Red y la Red de Profesionales de la Salud por el Derecho a Decidir en Argentina. Metodología: se adoptó una metodología de investigación de tipo cualitativa con base en la realización de entrevistas en profundidad, semiestructurada, y cuestionarios de preguntas abiertas on-line orientados a conocer las experiencias de accionar de las integrantes de ambas redes respecto a los desafíos que significó la pandemia para continuar procesos de acompañamientos de abortos seguros. Conclusión: las medidas gubernamentales de Aislamiento Social, Preventivo y Obligatorio (ASPO) llevaron a una profundización de la obstrucción de derechos con relación al aborto que agravó procesos de desigualdades y vulnerabilidades existentes. Sin embargo, la pandemia del COVID-19 obligó a reforzar una red de cuidados feministas orientada a garantizar políticas de atencióny acompañamiento de aborto seguro.

Objective: to examine the initiatives undertakenby the organizations Socorristas en Redand Red de Profesionales de la Salud por el Derecho a Decidirin Argentina concerning the support and facilitation of legal and voluntary termination of pregnancy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology:the research employs a qualitative approach, relying on in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and online questionnaires. These methodologies were designed to capture the experiential insights of network members, shedding light on the challenges encountered during the pandemic in sustaining the provision of support for safe abortion procedures. Conclusion:the implementation of Social, Preventive, and Compulsory Isolation (ASPO) measures during the COVID-19 pandemic heightened infringements on abortion-related rights, exacerbating societal inequalities and vulnerabilities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the reinforcement of a resilient feminist care network dedicated to providing safe abortion services and supportive policies.

Objetivo: abordar as acções de acompanhamento desenvolvidas pelas organizações Socorristas en Red e Red de Profesionales de la Salud por el Derecho a Decidir na Argentina para apoiar a interrupção legal e voluntária da gravidez no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19. Metodologia: foi adoptada uma metodologia de investigação qualitativa baseada em entrevistas aprofundadas e semiestruturadase em questionários on-line, com o objetivo de conhecer as experiências de ação dos membros de ambas as redes no que diz respeito aos desafios colocados pela pandemia para a continuação dos processos de acompanhamento do aborto seguro. Conclusão: as medidas governamentais de Isolamento Social, Preventivo e Compulsório (ASPO) levaram a um aprofundamento da obstrução de direitos em relação ao aborto, o que agravou processos de desigualdade e vulnerabilidade já existentes. No entanto, a pandemia da COVID-19 forçou o fortalecimento de uma rede de atendimento feminista voltada para a garantia de políticas de atenção e acompanhamento ao aborto seguro

Trading in harms: COVID-19 and sexual and reproductive health disparities during the first surge in New York state.

In March 2020, New York City was the national epicenter of the novel coronavirus in the United States. This article draws on rapid qualitative research from July to October of 2020 with sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) providers who served low-income people from racial and ethnic minority groups in New York State to examine their perceptions of the effects of COVID-related adaptations to care on healthcare access and quality. We found that care delivery protocols during the early months of the pandemic compromised healthcare interactions and clinical experiences by limiting support persons, separating newborns from parents, and restricting care time in hospitals. Additionally, closures of in-person SRH services and prohibitions on prenatal support persons increased obstacles to access and utilization of care. Our intersectional analysis underscores how COVID protocols interacted with other axes of inequality to compound disparities in SRH access and quality of care. Early COVID policies prioritized controlling the risk of viral exposure over the risk of harm from the policies themselves, reflecting zero-sum approaches that we describe as "trading in harms." Our research thus raises crucial questions about how institutions and governing bodies conceive of, and organize, emergency preparedness. We argue that emergency preparedness must center concerns around racial, class, and gender equity, among others, to foreground the risks and benefits of emergency responses for different groups.

Assessment of the availability, accessibility, and quality of sexual and reproductive health services for young people in conflict affected zones of Cameroon: a mixed method study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite ongoing programs to improve young people's Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) in the conflict plagued North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, there is limited evidence-based information evaluating SRHS. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the availability, accessibility, and quality of SRHS provided to young people in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional mixed-methods sequential explanatory study conducted among healthcare providers and young people between 10 and 24 years in 6 selected urban and rural areas in North West and South West regions. Data was collected between December 2021 and September 2022 using an adopted checklist. A descriptive analysis was conducted for quantitative data. An inductive analysis was conducted for the qualitative data to construct themes. The findings from the quantitative and qualitative responses were triangulated. RESULTS: There were 114 participants, 28 healthcare providers and 86 young people. Most provider participants were nurses (n = 18, 64.3%), working in religious facilities (n = 14, 50.0%), with diplomas as state registered nurses (n = 9, 32.1%). Also, more than half of young people (51.2%) were less than 20 years old, while there were more male young people (51.2%) than female young people (48.8%). Most respondents agreed that SRHS services were available, though they think they are not designed for young people and have limited awareness campaigns about the services. Reasons such as limited use of written guidelines, affected quality of SRHS. Participants revealed shyness, resistance from religious groups and families, insecurities from political instability, and inadequate training, among others, as barriers to SRH accessibility. CONCLUSION: The study shows that SRHS are available but are not specifically designed for young people. Inadequate publicity for these services, coupled with the political crises and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has increased young people's inaccessibility to SRHS. Young people usually have to finance the cost of most of the SRHS. The quality of service delivery in the facilities is inadequate and must therefore be improved by developing safe, youth-friendly centers staffed with well-trained service providers.

Contending with precarity: Digital pathways to sexual and reproductive healthcare among transgender Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stringent lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and the cisnormative framing of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in the Philippines cultivated precarious access to SRH systems among transgender (trans) communities during the public health crisis. With the shift toward digital health initiatives, this study aimed to explore the experiences of the local trans community in using digital health initiatives (DHIs) to access SRH care and gender-affirming services, information, and providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online interviews with 13 self-identified trans Filipinos living in the Philippines during the pandemic were conducted and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. First, the narratives of trans Filipinos illustrate how DHIs can address discontinuities of care that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, because of long-standing geographic, economic, and social barriers to trans-responsive healthcare in the Philippines, local trans communities navigate alternative pathways to care established within digital spaces (e.g., social media) by trans individuals and groups. These online communities of care not only connect trans Filipinos to culturally competent and affordable care but also foster a sense of belongingness and support. Taken together, this study underscores the need to go beyond technical access to care to ensure that trans-inclusive and trans-responsive sources and providers of care are made available throughout the healthcare system. As the narratives of trans Filipinos illustrate, the narratives, experiences, and practices within their online communities of care may be the key to actualizing such a healthcare system not only in the Philippines but all over the world.

Reproductive Health Experiences Shared on TikTok by Young People: Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create and share content through short videos. It has become a place for everyday users, especially Generation Z users, to share experiences about their reproductive health. Owing to its growing popularity and easy accessibility, TikTok can help raise awareness for reproductive health issues as well as help destigmatize these conversations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify and understand the visual, audio, and written components of content that TikTok users create about their reproductive health experiences. METHODS: A sampling framework was implemented to narrow down the analytic data set. The top 6 videos from each targeted hashtag (eg, #BirthControl, #MyBodyMyChoice, and #LoveYourself) were extracted biweekly for 16 weeks (July-November 2020). During data collection, we noted video characteristics such as captioning, music, likes, and cited sources. Qualitative content analysis was performed on the extracted videos. RESULTS: The top videos in each hashtag were consistent over time; for example, only 11 videos appeared in the top 6 category for #BirthControl throughout the data collection. Most videos fell into 2 primary categories: personal experiences and informational content. Among the personal experiences, people shared stories (eg, intrauterine device removal experiences), crafts (eg, painting their pill case), or humor (eg, celebrations of the arrival of their period). Dancing and demonstrations were commonly used in informational content. CONCLUSIONS: TikTok is used to share messages on myriad reproductive health topics. Understanding users' exposure provides important insights into their beliefs and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. The study findings can be used to generate valuable information for teenagers and young adults, their health care providers, and their communities. Producing health messages that are both meaningful and accessible will contribute to the cocreation of critical health information for professional and personal use.

Anti-Black racism and maternal death from COVID-19: what have we seen in the Pandemic? / Racismo antinegro e morte materna por COVID-19: o que vimos na Pandemia?

Anti-Black Racism traverses the lives of Black and Brown women, compromising sexual and reproductive health. Obstetric racism during pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, abortion, and puerperium affects these women, exposing them to harmful and often lethal maternal outcomes. This study aims to present racism and its manifestations in maternal death by COVID-19. It included data from COVID-19 notifications among pregnant women and puerperae recorded in the severe acute respiratory syndrome database (2021 and 2022). Information on race/skin color, age, region, clinical signs and symptoms, ICU, and deaths were collected. The results indicate how racism affects Black and Brown pregnant women and puerperae, who have higher lethality due to COVID-19 compared to White women (a difference of 14.02%), particularly in the puerperium. Black and Brown pregnant women least accessed the ICU. After adjustments, maternal death in the puerperium for Black women was 62% more likely than for White women (OR=1.62; 95%CI: 1.01-2.63). Racism and its manifestations (dis)organize the reproductive trajectories of Black and Brown women, whose interaction with sexism contributes to harmful and lethal maternal outcomes by COVID-19.

O racismo antinegro atravessa a vida das mulheres pretas e pardas comprometendo a saúde sexual e reprodutiva. O racismo obstétrico que ocorre durante a gravidez, pré-natal, parto, aborto e puerpério atinge estas mulheres expondo-as à desfechos maternos negativos e muitas vezes letais. Este estudo objetiva apresentar o racismo e suas manifestações na morte materna por COVID-19. Estudo transversal, com dados das notificações de COVID-19 entre gestantes e puérperas registradas na base de dados da Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave (2021 e 2022). Foram coletadas informações sobre raça/cor, idade, região, sinais e sintomas clínicos, UTI e óbitos. Os resultados apontam como o racismo afeta as gestantes e puérperas pretas e pardas, que apresentam maior letalidade por COVID-19 comparada às brancas (diferença que alcança os 14,02%), em particular no puerpério. Gestantes pretas e pardas são as que menos acessaram UTI. Após ajustes, a chance de óbito materno no puerpério para as mulheres pretas foi 62% maior em comparação as brancas (RC=1,62; 95%IC: 1,01-2,63). O racismo e suas manifestações (des)organizam as trajetórias reprodutivas das mulheres pretas e pardas que na sua interação com o sexismo contribuem para desfechos maternos negativos e letais por COVID-19.

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

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.

Resilience of primary healthcare system across low- and middle-income countries during COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic tested the resilience of the health system and its shock-absorbing capacity to continue offering healthcare services. The available evidences does not provide comprehensive insight into primary health care (PHC) system functioning across low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) during the pandemic. Therefore, the objective of this scoping review was to generate evidence on the resilience of PHC systems in LMICs during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A scoping review was carried out utilizing an iterative search strategy using the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the WHO COVID-19 electronic databases. Data from the identified studies in LMICs were charted in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist in the first step. The analysis framework was adapted and modified using COVID-19 and health systems resilience framework developed by Sagan et al., Blanchet et al., and the WHO position paper on 'Building health systems resilience for universal health coverage and health security during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond'. A total of 26 documents were included on the basis of predefined eligibility criteria for our analysis. RESULTS: Our review explored data from 44 LMICs that implemented strategies at the PHC level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the LMICs developed national guidelines on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (SRMNCAH). Most of the countries also transformed and reoriented PHC service delivery by introducing digital healthcare services to continue essential services. Task shifting, task sharing, and redeployment of retired staff were some frequently adopted health workforce strategies adopted by most of the countries. Only a few of the countries demonstrated the availability of necessary monetary resources to respond to the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The functionality of the PHC system during the COVID-19 pandemic was demonstrated by a variety of resilience strategies across the six building blocks of the health system. To strengthen PHC resilience, we recommend strengthening community-based PHC, cross-sectoral collaboration, establishing surveillance systems, capacity building in financial risk planning, and investing in strengthening the digital healthcare system.

Using telemedicine to improve early medical abortion at home (UTAH): a randomised controlled trial to compare telemedicine with in-person consultation for early medical abortion.

OBJECTIVES: To compare telephone consultations with in-person consultations for the provision of medical abortion (using mifepristone 200 mg and misoprostol 800 µg). We hypothesised that telemedicine consultations would be non-inferior to in-person consultations with a non-inferiority limit of 3%. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with 1:1 allocation. SETTING: Community abortion service housed within an integrated sexual and reproductive health service in Edinburgh, UK. PARTICIPANTS: The trial began on 13 January 2020, but was stopped early due to COVID-19; recruitment was suspended on 31 March 2020, and was formally closed on 31 August 2021. A total of 125 participants were randomised, approximately 10% of the total planned, with 63 assigned to telemedicine and 62 to in-person consultation. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: efficacy of medical abortion, defined as complete abortion without surgical intervention. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: satisfaction with consultation type, preparedness, unscheduled contact with care, complication rate, time spent in clinical contact and uptake of long-acting contraception. RESULTS: Primary outcome was available for 115 participants (lost-to-follow-up telemedicine=2, in-person=8), secondary outcomes were available for 110 participants (n=5 and n=10 in telemedicine and in-person groups did not complete questionnaires). There were no significant differences between groups in treatment efficacy (telemedicine 57/63 (90.5%), in-person 48/62 (77.4%)). However, non-inferiority was not demonstrated (+3.3% in favour of telemedicine, CI -6.6% to +13.3%, lower than non-inferiority margin). There were no significant differences in most secondary outcomes, however, there was more unscheduled contact with care in the telemedicine group (12 (19%) vs 3 (5%), p=0.01). The overall time spent in clinical contact was statistically significantly lower in the telemedicine group (mean 94 (SD 24) vs 111 (24) min, p=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine for medical abortion appeared to be effective, safe and acceptable to women, with less time spent in the clinic. However, due to the small sample size resulting from early cessation, the study was underpowered to confirm this conclusion. These findings warrant further investigation in larger scale studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04139382.

Racismo antinegro e morte materna por COVID-19: o que vimos na Pandemia? / Anti-Black racism and maternal death from COVID-19: what have we seen in the Pandemic?

Resumo O racismo antinegro atravessa a vida das mulheres pretas e pardas comprometendo a saúde sexual e reprodutiva. O racismo obstétrico que ocorre durante a gravidez, pré-natal, parto, aborto e puerpério atinge estas mulheres expondo-as à desfechos maternos negativos e muitas vezes letais. Este estudo objetiva apresentar o racismo e suas manifestações na morte materna por COVID-19. Estudo transversal, com dados das notificações de COVID-19 entre gestantes e puérperas registradas na base de dados da Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave (2021 e 2022). Foram coletadas informações sobre raça/cor, idade, região, sinais e sintomas clínicos, UTI e óbitos. Os resultados apontam como o racismo afeta as gestantes e puérperas pretas e pardas, que apresentam maior letalidade por COVID-19 comparada às brancas (diferença que alcança os 14,02%), em particular no puerpério. Gestantes pretas e pardas são as que menos acessaram UTI. Após ajustes, a chance de óbito materno no puerpério para as mulheres pretas foi 62% maior em comparação as brancas (RC=1,62; 95%IC: 1,01-2,63). O racismo e suas manifestações (des)organizam as trajetórias reprodutivas das mulheres pretas e pardas que na sua interação com o sexismo contribuem para desfechos maternos negativos e letais por COVID-19.

Abstract Anti-Black Racism traverses the lives of Black and Brown women, compromising sexual and reproductive health. Obstetric racism during pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, abortion, and puerperium affects these women, exposing them to harmful and often lethal maternal outcomes. This study aims to present racism and its manifestations in maternal death by COVID-19. It included data from COVID-19 notifications among pregnant women and puerperae recorded in the severe acute respiratory syndrome database (2021 and 2022). Information on race/skin color, age, region, clinical signs and symptoms, ICU, and deaths were collected. The results indicate how racism affects Black and Brown pregnant women and puerperae, who have higher lethality due to COVID-19 compared to White women (a difference of 14.02%), particularly in the puerperium. Black and Brown pregnant women least accessed the ICU. After adjustments, maternal death in the puerperium for Black women was 62% more likely than for White women (OR=1.62; 95%CI: 1.01-2.63). Racism and its manifestations (dis)organize the reproductive trajectories of Black and Brown women, whose interaction with sexism contributes to harmful and lethal maternal outcomes by COVID-19.