scholarly journals Abortion and the COVID-19 pandemic: insights for Latin America

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Bulegon Pilecco ◽  
Cecilia Anne McCallum ◽  
Maria da Conceição Chagas de Almeida ◽  
Flávia Jôse Oliveira Alves ◽  
Aline dos Santos Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Reproductive Rights ◽  
Legal Abortion ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Middle Income Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic may accentuate existing problems, hindering access to legal abortion, with a consequent increase in unsafe abortions. This scenario may be even worse in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Latin America, where abortion laws are already restrictive and access to services is already hampered. Our objective was to understand how different countries, with an emphasis on Latin Americans, have dealt with legal abortion services in the context of the COVID-19. Thus, we conducted a narrative review on abortion and COVID-19. The 75 articles included, plus other relevant references, indicate that the pandemic affects sexual and reproductive health services by amplifying existing problems and restricting access to reproductive rights, such as legal abortion. This impact may be even stronger in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Latin America, where access to legal abortion is normally restricted. The revision of sources in this article underlines the urgent need to maintain legal abortion services, both from women’s perspective, in support of their reproductive rights, but also from that of the international commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Thereby, Latin American countries must place reproductive rights as a priority on their agendas and adapt legislation to accommodate alternative models of abortion care. Furthermore, our results underscore the need for clear information on the functioning of sexual and reproductive health services as essential for understanding the impact of the pandemic on legal abortion and to identify the groups most affected by the changes.

scholarly journals 1409Legal abortion in the context of the COVID-19: a literature review focusing on Latin America

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia B. Pilecco
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Distance Measures ◽  
Legal Abortion ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Middle Income Countries

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic changed the functioning of several health services. This work aimed to understand how different countries, especially Latin Americans, dealt with legal abortion ones. Methods Narrative review on abortion and COVID-19 from January 1st, 2020 to March 10th, 2021. Databases searched included MEDLINE (through LitCOVID), Global Index Medicus, Virtual Health Library, and Journal Storage, complemented by gray literature. Results Of the 668 documents found, 111 were duplicated. After thematic screening, 75 were included. The vast majority reinforced the importance of abortion as a reproductive right and the maintenance of abortion services during the pandemic as essentials. Medical protocols without prior testing and supported by telemedicine were proposed to respect the distance measures. The pandemic amplified existing problems and restricted access to sexual and reproductive health services, such as legal abortion. This impact may be even stronger in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Latin America, where access to legal abortion is usually restricted. However, empirical peer-reviewed studies in this region are still scarce. Conclusions Latin American countries must place reproductive rights as a priority on their agendas and adapt legislation to accommodate alternative models of abortion care, or else they are at risk of increasing rates of unsafe abortions and maternal mortality, especially among the most vulnerable women. Key messages Maintaining legal abortion services during the pandemic is essential, at the risk of increasing maternal mortality, especially in contexts where access to these services is already restricted, such as in Latin America.

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

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13221
Author(s):  
Salima Meherali ◽  
Bisi Adewale ◽  
Sonam Ali ◽  
Megan Kennedy ◽  
Bukola (Oladunni) Salami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

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.

Ensuring Reproductive Rights of Women in Nepal: Law and Praxis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-62
Author(s):  
D. N. Parajuli
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Reproductive Rights ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
The Right ◽  
Health Rights

 Reproductive rights are fundamental rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health that vary amongst countries around the world, but have a commonality about the protection, preservation and promotion of a woman‘s reproductive health rights. Reproductive rights include the right to autonomy and self-determination , the right of everyone to make free and informed decisions and have full control over their body, sexuality, health, relationships, and if, when and with whom to partner, marry and have children , without any form of discrimination, stigma, coercion or violence. The access and availability of reproductive health services are limited due to geography and other issues, non-availability and refusal of reproductive health services may lead to serious consequences. The State need to ensure accessibility, availability, safe and quality reproductive health services and address the lifecycle needs of women and girls and provide access of every young women and girls to comprehensive sexuality education based on their evolving capacity as their human rights, through its inclusion and proper implementation in school curriculum, community-based awareness program and youth led mass media. It is necessary for strengthening compliance, in a time-bound manner, with international human rights standards that Nepal has ratified that protect, promote, and fulfill the basic human rights and reproductive health rights in Nepal and also need to review standards and conventions that Nepal has had reservations about or those that have been poorly implemented in the country.

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