ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: While it is necessary to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, efforts including social isolation, restricted travel, and school closures are anticipated to raise the probability of domestic violence (DV). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, pattern, risk factors, and physical health outcomes of domestic violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenient sample. The data collection tool was based on Sect. 11 of the Egyptian Demographic Health Survey, 2014, which is designed to measure domestic violence. We used a Google form-designed questionnaire and distributed the link to social media platforms from May 2020 to June 2020 till the collection of the required sample of 388 completed questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of every form of DV was 31%. Emotional violence was the most prevalent (43.5%) followed by physical (38.9%) and sexual violence (17.5%). About 10.5% of women reported suffering from all types of violence. The husband was the most common perpetrator of DV. The determinants of ever experiencing any form of DV were low education level of women (OR = 7.3, 95% CI 2.8-18.8), unemployment (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 4-3.5), husband's use of alcohol or substance (OR = 14.4, 95% CI 4.1-50.2), and insufficient income (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 2-3.2). The most common health consequences of DV were injuries such as cuts, bruises, and aches. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ever experiencing any form of DV was 31% which is considered high. Emotional violence was the most common whereas sexual violence was the least common. Identifying the risk factors of DV would support the development and implementation of preventive and screening programs for early identification and offering social support to the victims. Policies should be adopted for the early detection and protection of women suffering from violent behaviors. Access to adequate prompt support and health-care services is crucial in order to decrease the consequences of violence. It is necessary to implement alcohol or drug abuse interventions, preventive measures, and screening programs in families to reduce DV.
ABSTRACT
Background: Healthcare workers are on the front lines of COVID-19 and are subject to risks. A rise in the cases of violence and aggressiveness against HCWs has been observed worldwide, adding to the already existing burnout. The purpose of this research is to determine the prevalence of workplace violence, its risk variables, and the pattern of violence directed towards healthcare workers in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The research used a cross-sectional analytic design. Purposive sampling was utilized to identify research participants using an online survey. Form's link was distributed to accessible social media groups such as Facebook and WhatsApp from July 2020 to the end of October 2020. A self-administered structured survey was adapted from the World Health Organization survey questionnaire about violence in healthcare settings. The Google Form's link was distributed to the social media groups until the total sample of 405 was collected. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace violence against Egyptian healthcare workers was prevalent (63.2%). The most prevailing type of violence among the exposed participants was verbal violence (87.9%). Violence is more common in the (< 40 years old) age group (80.9% of exposed healthcare workers). Violence was more statistically significant against females (60.5% of the exposed healthcare workers) (p-value = 0.023). Regarding the work specialty, violence was more committed against physicians (84.3% of exposed healthcare workers) than nurses (12.8% of exposed healthcare workers). The primary perpetrators of violence were the patient's family (74.6%). The majority of the exposed HCWs (96%) reported no physical injury from the violent event, and 71.5% deemed the violent incident preventable. The majority (90.6%) of HCWs exposed to violent incidents declared non-reporting. Conclusions: Effective risk communication at all levels of society is critical for reducing fear, stigma, and ultimately workplace violence, as recent assaults on healthcare institutions demonstrate. To reduce violence and safeguard the safety of the medical profession, the government, health policymakers, media organizations, and community engagement groups must collaborate for healthcare workers' safety.
ABSTRACT
This retrospective observational online study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown on female sexual functions and reproductive health. It included 409 sexually active females. The sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The reproductive life was assessed by a structured self-administered questionnaire modified from Egypt Demographic and Health Survey. The study revealed a significant decrease in the overall FSFI score during the pandemic lockdown compared to the pre-pandemic score (19.3 ± 6 vs. 21.3 ± 6.4, P<0.001). Below half (41.6 %) of women were using contraception methods during the pandemic, while 27.9% had stopped taking contraception during the pandemic, 30.6% (57/186) of the pregnant women only tended to get pregnant. So, the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown were associated with an elevated risk for female sexual dysfunction and altered women's reproductive health quality. Heath system should therefore develop new methods to provide basic reproductive health service, family planning services, and to ameliorate the female sexual function during COVID-19 pandemic including consults with physicians, counsellors, and psychologists, as well as health education programs, either in person or virtually via telemedicine.
