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During periods of social isolation, history shows that people tend to have more sex and more unplanned pregnancies, according to a leading reproductive and sexual health expert who is calling for better access to contraception.

Dr Catriona Melville, deputy medical director at Marie Stopes Australia says this is what happened during the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa between 2014-16.

“It makes sense,” she says. “It’s a combination of isolation, and reduced access to healthcare and emergency contraception. I guess, we’ll see the effects in several months’ time.”