Sexual Health and COVID-19: Protocol for a Living Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed and exacerbated existing socioeconomic and health inequities that disproportionately affect the sexual health and well-being of many populations, including people of color, ethnic minority groups, women, and sexual and gender minority populations. Although there have been several reviews published on COVID-19 and health disparities across various populations, none have focused on sexual health. We plan to conduct a scoping review that seeks to fill several of the gaps in the current knowledge of sexual health in the COVID-19 era and facilitate multi-country comparisons.Methods: A scoping review focusing on sexual health and COVID-19 will be conducted. Multiple bibliographic databases will be searched. Study selection will conform to Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual 2015 Methodology for JBI Scoping Reviews. Data will be used to inform multi-country comparisons.Results: N/AConclusions: Original research is urgently needed to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 on sexual health. The planned scoping review will help to address this gap and contribute to multi-country comparisons as part of the I-SHARE network.Systematic Review registrations: N/A