Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Challenges among Ugandan Youth during COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown: An online Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and sexual and reproductive health rights services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the challenges to sexual and reproductive health and rights among Ugandan youth during the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18 to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.5%) reported not having testing and treatment services of Sexual transmitted Infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to health facility where to get the services (55.2%), cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted diseases were the commonest (40.4%) challenge relating to SRH during this lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuses (32.4%). The Multivariate Regression Analysis shows that challenges were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), p<0.001] followed by unemployed (Volunteer or unpaid) [APR: 1.6 (1.03 - 2.64), p: 0.037] than others participants. Conclusions The findings of this study show that Ugandan youths have challenges to access to SRHR information and services during lockdown due to COVID-19. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were mostly affected among Ugandan youths. Lack of transport means and cost of services were the limiting factors to access SRHR services among youths. Therefore, effective measures should be put in place to ensure access and availability of SRHR for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.