Use of preventive sexual and reproductive health services before and during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico

Objective. To analyze the use of preventive services for sexual and reproductive health (PSSRH) in adult women and men before and during the Covid-19 pandemic and associated sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and methods. Using the 2018-19, 2021 and 2022 National Health and Nutrition Surveys, we analyzed information on performed Papanicolaou and HPV tests, clinical breast examination, mammography, prostate antigen and digital rectal examination. We adjust multivariate logistic models stratified by sex to explore the association between use of the PSSRH and selected variables. Results. Since before the pandemic, low prevalence of diagnostic procedures has been observed, particularly in men, a situation that worsened during the health emergency. People with the most advantaged characteristics presents greater likelihood of using these services. Likewise, we observed gender inequalities in some characteristics. Conclusion. The pandemic highlighted the need to improve and strengthen the PSSRH to achieve greater efficiency.