Exploring Reproductive Health Impact of COVID 19 pandemic: In Depth Interviews with key stakeholders in Pakistan

  • Nighat Shah AIPH/JSMU, AKUH
  • Mehjabeen Musharraf Jinnah Sindh Medical University
  • Farah Khan Jinnah Sindh Medical University
  • Nusrat Shah Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil hospital
Keywords: COVID 19, Pandemic, RH, FP, Lock down, Qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effects of COVID 19 on reproductive and child health services and gender relations.

Methods: This is a Qualitative Exploratory Research. Due to lockdown, setting was online interviews on Zoom. Sampling was purposive. Five in-depth interviews were conducted in June 2020 followed by compilation of results and manuscript writing in July and August 2020.

Results: Maternal Neonatal morbidity and mortality will rise as part of collateral damage of C19. As all routine services of maternity care, family planning, post abortion care and vaccination were also in lockdown. Baby boom, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and violence against women will be the secondary consequences of C19.

Conclusion: Some critical services should never stop which include maternal and neonatal essential services. MNCH service continuity has to be maintained to optimize maternal neonatal health, prevent unwanted pregnancy and abortion. With appropriate standard operating procedures, and protective equipments, health facilities need to open. LHWs and community mobilisers with PPEs should continue services.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3877

How to cite this:
Shah N, Musharraf M, Khan F, Shah N. Exploring Reproductive Health Impact of COVID 19 pandemic: In Depth Interviews with key stakeholders in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(4):1069-1074. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3877

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Author Biography

Mehjabeen Musharraf, Jinnah Sindh Medical University

qualitative Research expert, AIPH/JSMU

Published
2021-05-06
How to Cite
Shah, N., Musharraf, M., Khan, F., & Shah, N. (2021). Exploring Reproductive Health Impact of COVID 19 pandemic: In Depth Interviews with key stakeholders in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 37(4). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.4.3877
Section
Original Articles