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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Salima Meherali

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Bisi Adewale

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Sonam Ali

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Megan Kennedy

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Bukola (Oladunni) Salami

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Solina Richter

    (College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada)

  • Phil E. Okeke-Ihejirika

    (Women’s & Gender Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Parveen Ali

    (Division of Nursing and Midwifery, Health Sciences School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2LA, UK)

  • Kênia Lara da Silva

    (Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil)

  • Samuel Adjorlolo

    (Department of Mental Health Nursing, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 43, Ghana)

  • Lydia Aziato

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 43, Ghana)

  • Stephen Owusu Kwankye

    (College of Humanities, Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 43, Ghana)

  • Zohra Lassi

    (Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Salima Meherali & Bisi Adewale & Sonam Ali & Megan Kennedy & Bukola (Oladunni) Salami & Solina Richter & Phil E. Okeke-Ihejirika & Parveen Ali & Kênia Lara da Silva & Samuel Adjorlolo & Lydia Aziato &, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13221-:d:703122
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Sodini & F. Sabatini & A. Antoci, 2014. "Online and offline social participation and social poverty traps. Can social networks save human relations?," Working Paper CRENoS 201404, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
    2. Prerna Banati & Nicola Jones & Sally Youssef, 2020. "Intersecting Vulnerabilities: The Impacts of COVID-19 on the Psycho-emotional Lives of Young People in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(5), pages 1613-1638, December.
    3. Santiago Perez-Vincent & Enrique Carreras & María Amelia Gibbons & Tomás E. Murphy & Martín Rossi, 2020. "COVID-19 Lockdowns and Domestic Violence: Evidence from Two Studies in Argentina," Working Papers 143, Universidad de San Andres, Departamento de Economia, revised Jul 2020.
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    1. Emma Sethina Adjaottor & Frimpong-Manso Addo & Florence Aninniwaa Ahorsu & Hsin-Pao Chen & Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu, 2022. "Predictors of COVID-19 Stress and COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Adolescents in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-14, June.

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