Reproductive health management in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Citation: Fatemi F, Moslehi S. Challenges of Reproductive Health management in the Camps of Internally Displaced Persons: A Systematic Review. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences. 2021;31(1):179-88.
Language: Abstract and full text available in EN.
Free to view: Yes.
Funding sources: Iran University of Medical Sciences.
What is this? People living in camps for internally displaced persons face many challenges relating to reproductive health.
In this systematic review, the authors searched for studies of reproductive health problems and associated challenges for IDPs. They restricted their searches to articles published in English and Persian and did the search in January 2020. They included 11 studies, which were from Africa (4 studies), Asia (2), Europe, South America and the USA (2).
What was found: There are many challenges to reproductive health management for IDPs, such as availability of and accessibility to health services.
Management challenges also include sexual and gender-based violence, human rights issues, social and cultural beliefs, lack of coordination and collaboration, and poor mental health with limited supports.
Implications: The authors of this review stated that their systematic review presents valuable advice for policy makers and managers to prepare and respond in an effective and timely manner to the reproductive health challenges of internally displaced persons. They also make recommendations about the content of disaster preparedness plans and contingency plans for maintaining and improving reproductive health for IDPs living in camps.
Other considerations: The authors of the review discuss their findings in the context of accessibility, gender/sex, culture and personal characteristics associated with discrimination (mental health).