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Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Function: A Systematic Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2021

Jafar Bazyar
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Prehospital Medical Emergency Organization, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
Razhan Chehreh
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, PhD of Reproductive Health, School of Midwifery and Nursing, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
Jamil Sadeghifar
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor of Health Services Management, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
Zolaykha Karamelahi
Affiliation:
Msc in Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
Sadegh Ahmadimazhin
Affiliation:
Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Nursing and Emergency, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
Younes Vafery
Affiliation:
Prehospital Medical Emergency Organization, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
Salman Daliri*
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
*
Correspondence: Salman Daliri Clinical Research Development Unit Imam Hossein Hospital Shahroud University of Medical SciencesShahroud, Iran E-mail: daliri.salman@yahoo.com.

Abstract

Introduction:

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has affected many people in the world and has impacted the physical, social, and mental health of the world population. One of these psychological consequences is intimate partner violence affecting sexual health.

Methods:

This study was performed as a systematic review on the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on sexual function and domestic violence in the world. Accordingly, all English-language studies conducted from the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to the end of 2020 were extracted by searching in the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed (including Medline), Cochrane Library, and Science Direct databases and then reviewed. The quality of the articles was assessed using the STROBE checklist.

Results:

A total of 11 studies were included in the systematic review. Accordingly, domestic violence during the exposure to COVID-19 had increased. Moreover, the mean scores of sexual function and its components had reduced at the time of exposure to the pandemic compared to before.

Conclusion:

Given the potential long-term effects of the coronavirus crisis and the large population being affected by this disease, strategies to promote sexual health and fertility of families to prevent or further reduce violence and sexual functions should be chosen.

Type
Systematic Review
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine

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