Accessibility of family planning and safe abortion services under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of the research was to evaluate the accessibility of family planning services and safe abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic and develop necessary recommendations for maintaining and improving the provision of these services in pandemic situations.

Material and methods. To achieve the aim, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 01.11.2021 to 01.02.2022 on a sample of 213 obstetrician-gynecologists and 320 women of reproductive age. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results. FPS and SAC were reported to be incompletely provided during the COVID-19 pandemic by 42.7% of obstetrician-gynecologists. Limited access was also reported by 46.9% of beneficiaries of these services. Common obstacles/challenges regarding access to FPS and SAC include: insufficient information about COVID-19, fear of infection, doctors with COVID-19, imposed quarantine, overloaded work schedules of doctors, cessation of public transport with limited mobility, etc.

Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a limitation of access to FPS and SAC, experienced by both beneficiaries and service providers at the country level. Analysis of obstacles and opportunities in the provision and access to services can serve to identify measures for broader accessibility to FPS and SAC in public health emergencies. There is an urgent need for policies and procedures whose implementation would ensure equitable and timely access to FPS and SAC in PHE, including the application of telemedicine as a modern tool.