COVID-19 as a Threat to Sexual and Reproductive Health

Design, implementation, and validation of an application for childbirth preparation classes to improve the performance of midwifery students: Study protocol

BACKGROUND

Childbirth preparation classes are incredibly useful for midwifery students as future medical personnel. Nowadays, given the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and as mobile applications are extensively welcomed, virtual space can be used for education in the area of childbirth preparation classes. Given the lack of an application for childbirth preparation classes, this study will be conducted to design, implement and validate such an application to improve the performance of midwifery students in the areas of pregnancy and safe delivery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study will be conducted in three phases. In the first phase, content will be provided to Information Technology experts based on the content of the national guidelines for physiological delivery in Iran, and the application will be designed and validated for the use of midwifery students, then develop app for other medical students, midwives and physicians. In the second phase, the assessment will be based on Kirkpatrick's model. In the third stage, develop app for other medical students, midwives and physicians based on the results of the first and second phase. SPSS version 17 will be used in this phase for analysis of data through descriptive and analytical tests.

CONCLUSION

Owing to the expansion of virtual space and the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, design, validation, and evaluation of an application for childbirth preparation classes is an exceptionally significant necessity which contributes to the process of educating midwifery students.

Factors associated with access to condoms and sources of condoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Evidence has shown that the prescribed lockdown and physical distancing due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have made accessing essential health care services much more difficult in low-and middle-income countries. Access to contraception is an essential service and should not be denied, even in a global crisis, because of its associated health benefits. Therefore, it is important to maintain timely access to contraception without unnecessary barriers. Hence, this study examines the factors contributing to limited access to condoms and sources of condoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

METHODS

This study used the National Income Dynamics Study-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) wave 1 survey dataset. The NIDS-CRAM is a nationally representative survey of the National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) conducted via telephone interview during COVID-19 in the year 2020. This is the first secondary dataset on COVID-19 conducted by NIDS during pandemic. A total of 5304 respondents were included in the study. Data were analysed using frequencies distribution percentages, chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Almost one-quarter (22.40%) of South Africans could not access condoms, and every 7 in 10 South Africans preferred public source of condoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who were from other population groups [AOR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.19-0.74] and those who were in the third wealth quintile [AOR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.38-0.93] had lower odds of having access to condoms while those respondents who were aged 25-34 [AOR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.27-0.83] and those with a secondary level of education and above [AOR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.08-0.71] were less likely to prefer public source of condom.

CONCLUSIONS

This study concludes that there was limited access to condoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the preferred source of condoms was very skewed to public sources in South Africa. Strategic interventions such as community distribution of free condoms to avert obstruction of condom access during the COVID-19 pandemic or any future pandemics should be adopted.