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Comparison of Contraceptive Sales Before and After the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Brazil

21 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2021

See all articles by Charles M'Poca Charles

Charles M'Poca Charles

University of Campinas- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Aline Munezero

University of Campinas - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Luis G. Bahamondes

University of Campinas - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Rodolfo Carvalho Pacagnella

University of Campinas - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

More...

Abstract

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has put the health care system under severe strain. Sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception provision, were one of the most disrupted. Our objective was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sales of modern contraceptive methods in Brazil.

Methods: We analysed monthly data of short-acting, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs; implants and intrauterine devices [IUD]), and COVID-19 related deaths. We categorised the sales in: i) emergency contraceptive (EC), ii) oral contraceptives, rings and patches, iii) injectable contraceptives, iv) LARC methods, including copper-IUD, and v) LARC methods, except Cu-IUDs.

Findings: Contraceptives sales had a non-significant increase in the year 2020 compared to the year 2019, and the annual average ranged from 12·8 to 13·0 million units/month. We observed an increase in the sales of injectable contraceptives for the February-May/2020 and EC pills for the June-July/2020  and a non-significant variation for pills, patches and rings. The hormonal-IUD/ENG-implant had three patterns: a decrease in sales between February-April, which coincides with the closure of family planning services; an increment of sales since April, which coincide with the first COVID-19 related deaths and an important increment of sales since July/2020.Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the Brazilian healthcare system and due to the fact that many family planning clinics were closed, the sales of most of the modern contraceptives fall over the year 2020; however, the increment of sales of the LNG-IUD/ENG-implant at private sector indicated the inequity in access of contraception.

Funding Information: This study received partial financial support from the Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP; award number 2015/20504‐9) and from the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq; grant number 573747/2008‐3). Moreover, CMC and AM received funding from SRH, part of the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), to complete their Post-graduate studies. This article represents the views of the named authors only and does not represent the views of the mentioned organisations.

Declaration of Interests: LB received honoraria as lecturer from Bayer Healthcare and MSD. The other authors declared no conflict of interest.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; contraceptive methods; LARCs; SARCs, Brazil; unplanned pregnancy

Suggested Citation

Charles, Charles M'Poca and Munezero, Aline and Bahamondes, Luis G. and Carvalho Pacagnella, Rodolfo, Comparison of Contraceptive Sales Before and After the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Brazil. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3886429 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3886429

Charles M'Poca Charles

University of Campinas- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology ( email )

Brazil

Aline Munezero

University of Campinas - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology ( email )

Brazil

Luis G. Bahamondes

University of Campinas - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology ( email )

Brazil

Rodolfo Carvalho Pacagnella (Contact Author)

University of Campinas - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology ( email )

Brazil