Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jun 2, 2020
Date Accepted: Jul 22, 2020
Date Submitted to PubMed: Jul 27, 2020
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health: A Cross-sectional Online Survey
ABSTRACT
Background:
In the past few months, the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic has caused extensive economic and social damage.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of (COVID)-19 pandemic and related containment measures on sexual and reproductive health.
Methods:
From May 1 to 5, 2020, we recruited 3,500 young Chinese online. Aspects of sexual and reproductive health obtained using a study-specific questionnaire.
Results:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures, about 31% (n=298) participants reported a deterioration of partner relationship during the pandemic; 22% (n=212) participants reported a decrease in sexual desire; 41% (n=396) participants experienced a decrease in the sexual frequency; 30% (n=291) participants reported an increase in the frequency of masturbation and 20% (n=192) participants reported a decrease in consumed alcohol before or during sexual activities. COVID-19 also caused disruption in reproductive health services such as prenatal and postnatal care, safe childbirth, safe abortion, contraception and the management of sexually transmitted infections.
Conclusions:
Our results show that due to COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures, many young participants have wide ranging issues affecting their sexual and reproductive health. Measures should be put in place to safeguard the sexual and reproductive health of young people during this pandemic.
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