The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion care
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on healthcare globally, which exacerbated factors leading to unplanned pregnancies. Objectives: The primary objective was to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on abortion services globally. Secondary objectives were to discuss issues regardi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023033017 |
| _version_ | 1797815546027180032 |
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| author | Isabella Ong Aqilah Dariah Mohd Zulkarnain Kelly Zhi Qi Lim Daniel Boon Loong Teh Wilson Tam Zhongwei Huang |
| author_facet | Isabella Ong Aqilah Dariah Mohd Zulkarnain Kelly Zhi Qi Lim Daniel Boon Loong Teh Wilson Tam Zhongwei Huang |
| author_sort | Isabella Ong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on healthcare globally, which exacerbated factors leading to unplanned pregnancies. Objectives: The primary objective was to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on abortion services globally. Secondary objectives were to discuss issues regarding access to safe abortion and provide recommendations on continued access during pandemics. Search strategy: A search for relevant articles was conducted by utilizing multiple databases (PubMed, Cochrane, etc.). Selection criteria: Studies on COVID-19 and abortion were included. Data collection & analysis: The legislation governing abortion services across the globe was examined, inclusive of modifications to service provision during the pandemic. Global data on abortion rates and analyses of selected articles were also included. Main results: 14 countries instituted legislative changes related to the pandemic, 11 relaxed abortion regulations, while three restricted abortion access. An increase in abortion rates was seen particularly where telemedicine was available. Where abortions were postponed, second-trimester abortions increased after services resumed. Conclusions: Legislation, risk of exposure to infection, and access to telemedicine affect access to abortion. The use of novel technologies, maintaining existing infrastructure and enhancing the roles of trained manpower for safe abortion access is recommended to avoid the marginalization of women's health and reproductive rights. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:24:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-029db289b8ae4eedb7935c42e08bebf5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:24:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-029db289b8ae4eedb7935c42e08bebf52023-05-31T04:46:36ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402023-05-0195e16094The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion careIsabella Ong0Aqilah Dariah Mohd Zulkarnain1Kelly Zhi Qi Lim2Daniel Boon Loong Teh3Wilson Tam4Zhongwei Huang5Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, 119228, SingaporeYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, 119228, SingaporeYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 11, 119228, SingaporeDepartment of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456, SingaporeAlice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 2, MD 11, 10 Medical Drive, 117597, SingaporeDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 12, 119228, Singapore; NUS Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, Singapore 119228,Background: The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on healthcare globally, which exacerbated factors leading to unplanned pregnancies. Objectives: The primary objective was to analyze the effect of COVID-19 on abortion services globally. Secondary objectives were to discuss issues regarding access to safe abortion and provide recommendations on continued access during pandemics. Search strategy: A search for relevant articles was conducted by utilizing multiple databases (PubMed, Cochrane, etc.). Selection criteria: Studies on COVID-19 and abortion were included. Data collection & analysis: The legislation governing abortion services across the globe was examined, inclusive of modifications to service provision during the pandemic. Global data on abortion rates and analyses of selected articles were also included. Main results: 14 countries instituted legislative changes related to the pandemic, 11 relaxed abortion regulations, while three restricted abortion access. An increase in abortion rates was seen particularly where telemedicine was available. Where abortions were postponed, second-trimester abortions increased after services resumed. Conclusions: Legislation, risk of exposure to infection, and access to telemedicine affect access to abortion. The use of novel technologies, maintaining existing infrastructure and enhancing the roles of trained manpower for safe abortion access is recommended to avoid the marginalization of women's health and reproductive rights.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023033017COVID-19PandemicAbortionSRHContraception |
| spellingShingle | Isabella Ong Aqilah Dariah Mohd Zulkarnain Kelly Zhi Qi Lim Daniel Boon Loong Teh Wilson Tam Zhongwei Huang The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion care Heliyon COVID-19 Pandemic Abortion SRH Contraception |
| title | The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion care |
| title_full | The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion care |
| title_fullStr | The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion care |
| title_full_unstemmed | The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion care |
| title_short | The global impact of COVID-19 on abortion care |
| title_sort | global impact of covid 19 on abortion care |
| topic | COVID-19 Pandemic Abortion SRH Contraception |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023033017 |
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