Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DEFINITION:
The International Conference Population and Development [1994]
defined reproductive health as “a state of complete physical, mental,
and social well-being and not merely the absence disease or infirmity
in all matters related to the reproductive system and its functions and
processes”.
Included in this definition, is the right of men and women to be informed
and have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable method of
family planning of their choice, as well as other methods of theirs for
regulation of fertility, which are not against the law and the right to
appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through
pregnancy and childbirth and provide the couple with the best chance of
having a healthy infant.
Reproductive health therefore, implies that people have the ability to
reproduce, to regulate their fertility and to practice and enjoy sexual
relationships.
It further implies that reproduction is carried to a successful outcome
through infant and child survival, growth and healthy development.
It finally implies that women can go through pregnancy and childbirth, that
fertility regulation can be achieved without health hazards and most people
are safe in having sex.
1. GENETIC CONSTITUTION
This unavoidably contributes to reproductive ill-health, e.g. chromosomal
abnormality like Down’s syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, Klinefelter’s
syndrome and sickle cell disease.
2.SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world [with a gross per capital
income of ]. Most house-hold expenditure is on food, leaving very
little for health care and other social expenditure. There is reduced use of
health care facilities because of relatively high service charges and they
present in hospitals as un-booked emergencies, often times in life-
threatening circumstances.
The exemption of pregnant women from the payment of user fees will go a
long way in reducing the high MMR in Nigeria [Harrison 1997].
3. PERSONAL BEHAVIOR
Breakdown of traditional moral values has led to liberalized sexual
behavior, which has not been accompanied by an increased usage of
contraceptives.
This has led to high prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and abortions,
with their complications.
Unrestricted sexual behavior also results in problem of reproductive tract
infections and STDs leading to infertility.
Harmful traditional practices like FGM, early marriage and childbirth and
rearing all contribute to reproductive ill-health in Nigeria.
Sexual harassment: they do not have choice concerning when, with who and
how to have sex.
Sexually exploited, molested and assaulted under the guise of culture and or
religion.
Trafficking in women for exploitation work, pornography and labor.
Some women require permission from their husbands or male member
before they can visit a health facility.
2. Education and services for antenatal care, safe delivery and postnatal
care, including breastfeeding.