Females' Access to Health Services

The survey also explored what barriers females experienced when they tried to access contraceptive or abortion services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perception of abortion services: In the UK, the percentage of women thinking that abortion services were available from a clinic dropped from 81% before the pandemic to just 21% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived availability for abortions from a private clinic decreased in South Africa, from 76% to 43% and in India, from 61% to 44%.

The study was conducted for Marie Stopes.

Technical note

• The research was conducted online on the Ipsos Access Panel.
• Online interviews were carried out amongst females aged 16-50 in the UK, India and South Africa
• Our respondent base includes 1000 females in the UK who completed the survey between 29th July and 1st August 2020.
• Our respondent base included 1000 females in India who completed the survey between 31st July and 10th August 2020.
• Our respondent base included 1000 females in South Africa who completed the survey between 1st August and 11th August 2020.
• The sample obtained is representative of the population with quotas on:
  • Age
  • Region
• The UK data has been weighted to the known offline population profile by age, region, working status and education
• The Indian data has been weighted to the known offline population profile by age, region and working status
• The South African data has been weighted to the known offline population profile by age, region and education