JHSM
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine (JHSM) is an unbiased, peer-reviewed, and open access international medical journal. The Journal publishes interesting clinical and experimental research conducted in all fields of medicine, interesting case reports, and clinical images, invited reviews, editorials, letters, comments, and related knowledge.

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Original Article
COVID-19 anxiety and access to reproductive health services
Abstract
Aims: Access to healthcare services has been negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to determine women’s access to reproductive health services (RHS), reasons, and their relationship with COVID-19 anxiety.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, data were collected from 345 women (?18 years) using an online form via Google Forms, including an individual data form and the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale. Sample size was calculated with the Sample Size Calculator by Raosoft, with a 95% confidence, 5% deviation, as 385 using an interval and an unknown population. However study results present data from 345 voluntary women.
Results: Mean age was 29.95±9.35, Turkiye (88.1%), married (51.0%), with bachelor's (47.5%), student (34.2%), insured (80.6%), income equal to expenses (51.3%), and experienced COVID-19 (53.9%). The majority (45.8%) were neutral about sexuality, 42% found it important. Some stated sexual desire remained same (72.8%) during lockdown decreased (20.9%). Nearly half (49.6%) had no sexual intercourse during this period. Condoms were the preferred method before and after COVID-19. Lockdown, no access to public hospital appointments, expensive private hospital costs, and condom prices were listed as barriers. As a result, 13 reported unintended pregnancy, 5 abortions, and 12 spontaneous miscarriages. The most needed methods were condoms, birth control pills, IUDs, and monthly injections. COVID-19 anxiety and difficulty in RHS access were similar. Unplanned pregnancy and no interest in sexuality experience significantly more problems in family planning services. However, COVID-19 anxiety levels were similar (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Findings indicate RPH should be a priority in pandemics and other crises. Facilitating access to methods is crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies and abortions, as well as sexually transmitted infections.

Keywords : Contraceptive access, COVID-19, family planning barriers, pandemics

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Article available in :
Volume 9, Issue 1, 2026
Page : 1-7
https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1782907
Article Information
Received : 12 Eyl 2025
Accepted : 26 Eki 2025
Published : 05 Oca 2026
Corresponding Author :

Esma Demirezen: Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Demirezen E, Koçak AD. COVID-19 anxiety and access to reproductive health services. J Health Sci Med. 2026;9(1):1-7. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1782907

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