Reflections about Reproductive Planning in Brazil During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Ana Beatriz Azevedo Queiroz; Ana Luiza de Oliveira Carvalho; Andreza Pereira Rodrigues; Elen Petean Parmejiani; Fernanda Martins Cardoso; Gabriela Mello Silva; Isabelle Mangueira de Paula Gaspar; Julia Verli Rosa; Juliana da Fonsêca Bezerra

doi:10.25071/1929-8471.110

Authors

Ana Beatriz Azevedo Queiroz UFRJ
Ana Luiza de Oliveira Carvalho UFRJ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9261-9534
Andreza Pereira Rodrigues UFRJ
Elen Petean Parmejiani UNIR https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0512-8172
Fernanda Martins Cardoso UFRJ https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7516-2328
Gabriela Mello Silva UFRJ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4132-3394
Isabelle Mangueira de Paula Gaspar UFRJ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2043-1575
Julia Verli Rosa UFRJ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4118-5390
Juliana da Fonsêca Bezerra UFRJ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1929-8471.110

Keywords:

Nurses, Women's Health, Reproductive Rights, Contraceptive Agents, Pandemics, COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Reproductive planning in Brazil has historically been the responsibility of individual women, with limited availability of health services. During the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortcomings of this system became even more evident. Methods: An integrative review was conducted using LILACS, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases, including publications in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, from March 2020 to April 2022, using the descriptors: family planning and COVID-19. A total of 1,030 publications were found, 69 of which were selected after reading the title and summary. After a review of abstracts, 4 were included in the final analysis. Results: Studies about the topic included a reflection article, a narrative review, a letter to the editor, and an orientation guide for healthcare professionals. Three analytical categories appeared: (1) Reproductive planning: recognition as an essential service; (2) Weaknesses in the provision of sexual and reproductive health services; and (3) Women as a vulnerable group. Discussion and Conclusion: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were setbacks in Brazilian reproductive health care, such as a reduction in reproductive health services and a decrease in the supply of contraceptive and conception methods. These issues may explain the increase in the number of unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and the increase in maternal mortality rates that compromise the reproductive rights of Brazilian women.

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