Care-seeking in the presence of signs of sexually transmitted infections in Moroccan women: A comparison between the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-pandemic era
,
Abstract
Background & Aim: The emergence of COVID-19 has had significant effects on access to screening services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study aimed to describe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on care-seeking in the presence of signs of STIs among women of childbearing age in the Essaouira province of Morocco between April and June 2020.
Materials & Methods: A comparative and cross-sectional approach was used for the objectives of the study. It was a comparative analysis of the programmatic data from April, May, and June 2019 and from April, May, and June 2020. In addition, data were collected from women of childbearing age in 2021 via a questionnaire.
Results: Among the 1,100 selected women, 425 who reported having experienced symptoms of STIs during the COVID-19 pandemic were interviewed. 72.2% reported seeking health care from a qualified professional. The study revealed a relationship between women's healthcare seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.05) and factors such as place of residence, education, marital status, socioeconomic status, and distance from healthcare facilities. The analysis of the distribution of data regarding syndromic reporting of STIs, between 2019 and 2020, revealed a difference of 17.2%.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic hindered the search for treatments for signs of STIs in women of childbearing age, with a 17.2% decrease in cases in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. However, the role of healthcare professionals remains crucial for maintaining awareness, screening, and treatment of these infections.
1. Rogers B, Tao J, Murphy M, Chan PA. The COVID-19 pandemic and sexually transmitted infections: where do we go from here?. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2021 Jul 1;48(7):e94-6.
2. Eghbali M, Negarandeh R, Froutan R. COVID-19 epidemic: Hospital-level response. Nursing Practice Today. 2020 Apr 1;7(2):81-3.
3. WHO. COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries. 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/en/news/item/23-04-2021-covid-19-continues-to-disrupt-essential-health-services-in-90-of-countries. Accessed July 11, 2023.
4. UNAIDS. COVID-19 and HIV Progress Report 2020. 2020. Available at: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/COVID-19_%26_HIV_FR.pdf. Accessed July 10, 2024.
5. Belyagou, Y., & Mellouki, A. Accès aux soins au Maroc à l’épreuve de la pandémie du Coronavirus à Covid 19: Le chemin vers l’équité. International Journal of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Management and Economics. 2002; 3(2-1), 205-220.
6. Ministry of Health. National Strategic Plan to Combat AIDS. Extension plan 2023. 2021. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Publications/Manual/Documents/2021/PSNL%20SIDA_EXE%20Edit%C3%A9.pdf. Accessed Oct 11, 2023.
7. Pagaoa M, Grey J, Torrone E, Kreisel K, Stenger M, Weinstock H. Trends in nationally notifiable sexually transmitted disease case reports during the US COVID-19 pandemic, January to December 2020. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2021 Oct 1;48(10):798-804.
8. Ogunbodede OT, Zablotska-Manos I, Lewis DA. Potential and demonstrated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexually transmissible infections: Republication. Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS. 2021 Mar 1;16(2):115-20.
9. Leclerc L. Estimating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of routine HIV care: a single-center cohort study in Montreal, Canada. 13 mars 2024.
10. Riley T, Sully E, Ahmed Z, Biddlecom A. Estimates of the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health in low-and middle-income countries. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2020 Jan 1;46:73-6.
11. Giami A. COVID-19 and sexuality: The emergence of a new paradigm of sexuality. Sexologies. January 2021;30(1):1‐7.
12. World Health Organization. Global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections 2016-2021: toward ending STIs. InGlobal health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections 2016-2021: Toward ending STIs 2016.
13. Hill BJ, Anderson B, Lock L. COVID-19 pandemic, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care, and HIV/STI testing among patients receiving care in three HIV epidemic priority states. AIDS and Behavior. 2021 May;25(5):1361-5.
14. Napoleon SC, Maynard MA, Almonte A, Cormier K, Bertrand T, Ard KL, Chan PA. Considerations for STI clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2020 Jul 1;47(7):431-3.
15. Gabster A, Erausquin JT, Michielsen K, Mayaud P, Pascale JM, Pericas C, Marks M, Katz J, Talavero GC, de Argote M, Murillo A. How did COVID-19 measures impact sexual behavior and access to HIV/STI services in Panama? Results from a national cross-sectional online survey. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2022 Aug 1;98(5):332-40.
16. Ministry of Health. Health in figures 2019. 2019. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Documents/2021/12/Sante%20en%20digits%202019%20.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2023.
17. Ministry of Health. Health in figures 2020. 2020. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Documents/2022/11/Sante%20en%20digits%202020%20VF.pdf. Accessed August 7, 2023.
18. Sres Essaouira. The annual balance sheet of the province of Essaouira. Essaouira: Bureau of Statistics. 2022.
19. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. National AIDS Report 2023. 2023. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Documents/2023/11/Rapport%20national%20sida%20healthy%CC%81%2025-10-2023%20VF.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2022.
20. HCP. Difficulties in accessing health care during COVID-19 [Internet]. 2022 [cited 12 Oct 2023]. Available at: https://www.maroc-hebdo.press.ma/hcp-difficultes-access-care-services-health-covid19. Accessed May 21, 2022.
21. Czeisler MÉ. Delay or avoidance of medical care because of COVID-19–related concerns—United States, June 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2020;69.
23. Cipriano M, Giacalone A, Ruberti E. Sexual behaviors during COVID-19: the potential risk of transmission. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2020 Jul;49(5):1431-2.
24. Berzkalns A, Thibault CS, Barbee LA, Golden MR, Khosropour C, Kerani RP. Decreases in reported sexually transmitted infections during the time of COVID-19 in King County, WA: decreased transmission or screening? Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2021 Aug 1;48(8S):S44-9.
25. Salavati S, Rahimaghaee F, Seylani K. Co-creation: A new keyword in advancing the objectives of health organizations in COVID-19 crisis. Nursing Practice Today. 2022;9(1):1-3.
26. Podubinski T, Townsin L, Thompson SC, Tynan A, Argus G. Experience of healthcare access in Australia during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021 Oct 12;18(20):10687.
27. Levesque JF, Harris MF, Russell G. Patient-centred access to health care: conceptualising access at the interface of health systems and populations. International Journal for Equity in Health. 2013 Dec;12:1-9.
28. Belattar, L., Mokhtari, H. E., & Asraoui, I. The impact of Covid 19 on the socioeconomic situation of Moroccan women. French Journal of Economics and Management. 2023 Jul 15;4(7).
29. Hassambay R, Bennis FZ, Rwegera B, du Loû AD. The community approach to health: A lever for protecting vulnerable people in times of health crisis? Les Tribunes de la sante. 2022;72(2):83-92.
30. Jallal M, Serhier Z, Berrami H, Othmani MB. Current State and Prospects of Telemedicine in Morocco: Analysis of Challenges, Initiatives, and Regulatory Framework. Cureus. 2023 Dec;15(12).
2. Eghbali M, Negarandeh R, Froutan R. COVID-19 epidemic: Hospital-level response. Nursing Practice Today. 2020 Apr 1;7(2):81-3.
3. WHO. COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries. 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/en/news/item/23-04-2021-covid-19-continues-to-disrupt-essential-health-services-in-90-of-countries. Accessed July 11, 2023.
4. UNAIDS. COVID-19 and HIV Progress Report 2020. 2020. Available at: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/COVID-19_%26_HIV_FR.pdf. Accessed July 10, 2024.
5. Belyagou, Y., & Mellouki, A. Accès aux soins au Maroc à l’épreuve de la pandémie du Coronavirus à Covid 19: Le chemin vers l’équité. International Journal of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Management and Economics. 2002; 3(2-1), 205-220.
6. Ministry of Health. National Strategic Plan to Combat AIDS. Extension plan 2023. 2021. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Publications/Manual/Documents/2021/PSNL%20SIDA_EXE%20Edit%C3%A9.pdf. Accessed Oct 11, 2023.
7. Pagaoa M, Grey J, Torrone E, Kreisel K, Stenger M, Weinstock H. Trends in nationally notifiable sexually transmitted disease case reports during the US COVID-19 pandemic, January to December 2020. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2021 Oct 1;48(10):798-804.
8. Ogunbodede OT, Zablotska-Manos I, Lewis DA. Potential and demonstrated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexually transmissible infections: Republication. Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS. 2021 Mar 1;16(2):115-20.
9. Leclerc L. Estimating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of routine HIV care: a single-center cohort study in Montreal, Canada. 13 mars 2024.
10. Riley T, Sully E, Ahmed Z, Biddlecom A. Estimates of the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health in low-and middle-income countries. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2020 Jan 1;46:73-6.
11. Giami A. COVID-19 and sexuality: The emergence of a new paradigm of sexuality. Sexologies. January 2021;30(1):1‐7.
12. World Health Organization. Global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections 2016-2021: toward ending STIs. InGlobal health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections 2016-2021: Toward ending STIs 2016.
13. Hill BJ, Anderson B, Lock L. COVID-19 pandemic, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care, and HIV/STI testing among patients receiving care in three HIV epidemic priority states. AIDS and Behavior. 2021 May;25(5):1361-5.
14. Napoleon SC, Maynard MA, Almonte A, Cormier K, Bertrand T, Ard KL, Chan PA. Considerations for STI clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2020 Jul 1;47(7):431-3.
15. Gabster A, Erausquin JT, Michielsen K, Mayaud P, Pascale JM, Pericas C, Marks M, Katz J, Talavero GC, de Argote M, Murillo A. How did COVID-19 measures impact sexual behavior and access to HIV/STI services in Panama? Results from a national cross-sectional online survey. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2022 Aug 1;98(5):332-40.
16. Ministry of Health. Health in figures 2019. 2019. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Documents/2021/12/Sante%20en%20digits%202019%20.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2023.
17. Ministry of Health. Health in figures 2020. 2020. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Documents/2022/11/Sante%20en%20digits%202020%20VF.pdf. Accessed August 7, 2023.
18. Sres Essaouira. The annual balance sheet of the province of Essaouira. Essaouira: Bureau of Statistics. 2022.
19. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. National AIDS Report 2023. 2023. Available at: https://www.sante.gov.ma/Documents/2023/11/Rapport%20national%20sida%20healthy%CC%81%2025-10-2023%20VF.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2022.
20. HCP. Difficulties in accessing health care during COVID-19 [Internet]. 2022 [cited 12 Oct 2023]. Available at: https://www.maroc-hebdo.press.ma/hcp-difficultes-access-care-services-health-covid19. Accessed May 21, 2022.
21. Czeisler MÉ. Delay or avoidance of medical care because of COVID-19–related concerns—United States, June 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2020;69.
23. Cipriano M, Giacalone A, Ruberti E. Sexual behaviors during COVID-19: the potential risk of transmission. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2020 Jul;49(5):1431-2.
24. Berzkalns A, Thibault CS, Barbee LA, Golden MR, Khosropour C, Kerani RP. Decreases in reported sexually transmitted infections during the time of COVID-19 in King County, WA: decreased transmission or screening? Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2021 Aug 1;48(8S):S44-9.
25. Salavati S, Rahimaghaee F, Seylani K. Co-creation: A new keyword in advancing the objectives of health organizations in COVID-19 crisis. Nursing Practice Today. 2022;9(1):1-3.
26. Podubinski T, Townsin L, Thompson SC, Tynan A, Argus G. Experience of healthcare access in Australia during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021 Oct 12;18(20):10687.
27. Levesque JF, Harris MF, Russell G. Patient-centred access to health care: conceptualising access at the interface of health systems and populations. International Journal for Equity in Health. 2013 Dec;12:1-9.
28. Belattar, L., Mokhtari, H. E., & Asraoui, I. The impact of Covid 19 on the socioeconomic situation of Moroccan women. French Journal of Economics and Management. 2023 Jul 15;4(7).
29. Hassambay R, Bennis FZ, Rwegera B, du Loû AD. The community approach to health: A lever for protecting vulnerable people in times of health crisis? Les Tribunes de la sante. 2022;72(2):83-92.
30. Jallal M, Serhier Z, Berrami H, Othmani MB. Current State and Prospects of Telemedicine in Morocco: Analysis of Challenges, Initiatives, and Regulatory Framework. Cureus. 2023 Dec;15(12).
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 12 No 1 (2025): Winter | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v12i1.17526 | |
| Keywords | ||
| COVID-19; sexually transmitted infections; care-seeking; women of childbearing age; Morocco | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
|
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
How to Cite
1.
Nacer N, Ouzennou N, Rkha S. Care-seeking in the presence of signs of sexually transmitted infections in Moroccan women: A comparison between the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-pandemic era. NPT. 2024;12(1):65-73.
