The world may witness millions of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions this year. This is in relation to the quarantine period, lockdowns, and traffic restrictions imposed by governments due to the COVID-19 crisis. Reproductive health research conducted by the Pan African Journal reveals such regulation will reduce access to family planning equipment/contraceptives, increase the number of unintended pregnancies globally.
According to the report, unsafe abortions may be rampant in developing countries during the quarantine period. The Journal corroborated with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) technical paper on the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Planning and Ending Gender-based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, and Child Marriage.
The paper states for every 3 months of lockdown (assuming high levels of disruption), up to 2 million additional women may be unable to use modern contraceptives. If this continues for 6 months, an additional 7 million unintended pregnancies may occur. Nigeria has extended partial lockdown for another two weeks.
What is the impact
Unintended pregnancy during the COVID-19 period can lead to unsafe abortion. Unsafe abortions, in itself, lead to negative mental consequences, disability, and even maternal mortality, according to the report. The prevalence is high in Nigeria. In a related 2015 journal by the US National Library of Medicine, despite being illegal, an estimated 610,000 abortions are reported to occur in Nigeria annually. The other impact will be early child marriages. According to the United Nations, the consequences of this is that 13 million child marriages could take place this decade.
What Govt can do
The Pan African Journal suggests that governments, especially those in poor and developing countries, should consider adding contraceptives to baskets of goods or palliatives. There should also be a level of free and education materials on reproductive and sexual health. When unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion are controlled, it can reduce the cost of healthcare facilities. Josiah Mutihir, a reproductive health expert, says family planning service should be among essential services. He said this will reduce population growth from unplanned COVID-19 babies from November 2020.