Commentary: Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Public Health Crisis

Abstract

ARCH Women Health Care, Volume 4(3): 1–2, 2021 Soon after the Zika virus hit Brazil, in 2015, cases of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), for which the most known consequence is microcephaly, exploded. One unique feature of this virus is its capability of being transmitted by both the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a long known vector for Brazilians, and by unprotected sexual intercourse. The epidemic was soon declared a Public health Emergency of International Concern and amidst informal recommendations for pregnancy delays, little was known about how women were navigating the crisis. Knowing that half of the pregnancies are unplanned in Brazil, it was difficult to imagine that most women would be able to comply with the recommendation.