Ricerc@Sapienza

The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent confinement measures adopted in the various countries (e.g. lockdown, social distancing, essential exits, etc.) could have a profound impact on sexuality, reproductive health, and social life. To date, precise data on the possible effects that these procedures may have had in the emergency and reorganization phases are not yet available. Confinement procedures may have worsened mental and sexual health, increased cases of domestic violence and significantly reduced access to essential reproductive health services (e.g., access to contraceptives and assistance for pregnancy).
The current research project falls within this complex scenario and involves the administration of the ISHARE questionnaire (International Sexual and Reproductive Health survey) developed by an international task force of the World Health Organization (WHO). The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to better understand how COVID-19 confinement measures may have changed some aspects of sexual and reproductive health (sexual behaviour, gestation, childbirth, prenatal care, contraception, management of sexually transmitted infections, domestic sexual- and gender-based violence) in different countries.
Specifically, our research team will deal with the Italian translation and adaptation of the tool as well as the collection and analysis of data in the Italian context. The data collected on the Italian population will be used for national and international comparative studies. Participants will be recruited online through a snowball methodology. Eligible participants will be volunteers aged 18 or over who have given their consent to participate in the study.
The Italian study results will be useful both to deepen the effects of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive care services in our country (among the first and most affected by the pandemic), and by identifying some of the most impacted areas on which recommend future actions.