Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The study examined how refugees in Pakistan who accessed e-health clinics to get sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care perceived and used contraception. The prevalence, attitudes and variables affecting the adoption or non-adoption of contraceptives were the intended outcomes. The study additionally investigated how frequently refugee women used these clinics and how satisfied they were with the way telemedicine met their SRH needs. DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional methodology was used in this study to observe SRH-related telemedicine consultations. The study was conducted from 17 April 2024 to 31 May 2024. SETTING: The data collection was done using a survey instrument and it was preserved in the organisation's electronic health record. The investigation was conducted at nine Sehat Kahani e-health clinics, four in Balochistan and five in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. PARTICIPANTS: The study enrolled 576 women who were refugees; they were recruited after they attended Sehat Kahani e-health clinics for SRH services and gave their consent to participate. RESULTS: The study reported that refugee women visiting e-health clinics used contraception at a significant rate (68.1%). The majority (71.4%) of women rely on partners for family planning decisions. The primary reasons for using contraception were child spacing (33.2%) and preventing unintended pregnancy (31.1%). Housewives and those with an income of 20 000-40 000 Pakistan rupees (PKR) were more likely to use contraception. Women with limited access to SRH services, as well as those whose spouses make healthcare decisions, were less likely to use them. CONCLUSION: Women seeking refugee status who visited Sehat Kahani e-clinics depend substantially on contraception, with a preference for shorter-term options. Consumption of contraceptives was enhanced by collaborative decision-making and availability of SRH services, while it was hampered by a lack of education and healthcare control by husbands. Improving SRH outcomes for remote refugees confronting cultural hurdles is possible through telemedicine by overcoming these gaps.