The impact of COVID-19 on contraception and abortion care policy and practice: experiences from selected countries

Abstract

No area of healthcare is immune to the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic will affect sexual and reproductive health (SRH) worldwide in positive and negative ways. Home isolation and fears of contracting the virus appear to have led to decreased uptake of SRH services, increased reports of intimate partner violence, and in some settings reduced access to contraception and safe abortion care. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, including young people, Indigenous peoples, as well as refugees and asylum-seekers whose safety and care is deprioritised. Predictions have been made about higher rates of unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, short interpregnancy intervals, and untreated sexually transmitted infections.