Young people are able to access [sexual and reproductive health] services but not as much as they used to before the lockdown,” said Kondelwani Kamanga, a 27-year-old student from Zambia. Globally, weaknesses in health-care systems have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have lasting consequences for the population. For some, it has led some to postponing childbearing. For others, disruptions in health care have led to unintended pregnancies. Although we have yet to get a full picture of the impact on fertility, these trends have provoked alarmist concerns.

Summary of findings. Evidence indicate that intimate partner violence (IPV) is disturbingly high among South African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Understanding prevalence and risk factors for IPV among these emerging adults is critical for developing appropriate interventions to prevent adverse health outcomes later in life.