RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 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
JF BMJ Open
JO BMJ Open
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e057810
DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057810
VO 12
IS 6
A1 Seni Kouanda
A1 Eunice Nahyuha Chomi
A1 Caron Kim
A1 Sothornwit Jen
A1 Luis Bahamondes
A1 Jose Guilherme Cecatti
A1 Pisake Lumbiganon
A1 Modey Emefa
A1 Vanessa Brizuela
A1 Hamsadvani Kuganantham
A1 Armando Humberto Seuc
A1 Moazzam Ali
A1 ,
YR 2022
UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e057810.abstract
AB 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.