Reproductive Health (RH)

By: Layka M. Sabdani

BSMT 2
What is reproductive health?
is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being in all
matters relating to the reproductive
system. It implies that people are able
to have a satisfying and safe sex life,
the capability to reproduce, and the
freedom to decide if, when, and how
often to do so.
 To maintain ones sexual and
reproductive health, people need
access to accurate information and
the safe, effective, affordable and
acceptable contraception method of
their choice. They must be informed
and empowered to protect
themselves from sexually transmitted
infections.
Contents of
Reproductive
Health
 Sexual health
Child bearing and health
Availability of modern contraception
Female genital mutilation
Sexually transmitted infections
Adolescent health
Millennium development goals
Sexual health
A WHO working definition for
sexual health is that it "is a state
of physical, emotional, mental
and social well-being in relation to
sexuality; it is not merely the
absence of disease, dysfunction
or infirmity.
 Sexual health requires a positive and
respectful approach to sexuality and
sexual relationships, as well as the
possibility of having pleasurable and
safe sexual experiences, free of
coercion, discrimination and violence .
 For sexual health to be attained
and maintained, the sexual rights
of all persons must be respected,
protected and fulfilled.
 The programme of action (PoA) of the
International Conference on
Population and Development (ICPD)
in Cairo in 1994 was the first among
international development
frameworks to address issues related
to sexuality, sexual and reproductive
health, and reproductive rights.
 The PoA defined sexual health as,
dealing with the enhancement of life
and personal relations, not merely
counseling and care related to
reproduction and sexually transmitted
diseases.
 It refers to the integration of the
somatic, emotional, intellectual and
social aspects of sexual being in
ways that are positively enriching and
that enhance personality,
communication and love.
Childbearing and health
Early childbearing and other behaviours
can have health risks for women and their
infants. Waiting until a woman is at least
18 years old before trying to have children
improves maternal and child health. If an
additional child is to be conceived, it is
considered healthier for the mother, as
well as for the succeeding child, to wait at
least 2 years after the previous birth before
attempting to conception.
 After a fetal fatality, it is healthier to wait
at least 6 months. The WHO estimates
that each year, 358 000 women die due
to complications related to pregnancy
and childbirth; 99% of these deaths
occur within the most disadvantaged
population groups living in the poorest
countries of the world.
 Most of these deaths can be avoided
with improving women's access to
quality care from a (skilled birth
attendant) before, during and after
pregnancy and childbirth.
Availability of modern
contraception
Modern contraception is often unavailable
in certain parts of the world. According to
the WHO, about 222 million women
worldwide have an unmet need for modern
contraception, and the lack of access to
modern contraception is highest among
the most disadvantaged population: the
poor, those living in rural areas and urban
slums, those living with HIV, and those
who are internally displaced.
 In developing parts of the world, the lack
of access to contraception is a main
cause of (unintended pregnancy) which
is associated with poorer reproductive
outcomes. According to UNFPA, access
to contraceptive services for all women
could prevent about one in three deaths
related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Female genital
mutilation
Also known as female genital cutting
and female circumcision, is the ritual
removal of some or all of the external
female genitalia. The practice is found in
Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and
within communities from countries in
which FGM is common.
 Typically carried out by a traditional
circumciser using a blade, FGM is
conducted from days after birth to
puberty and beyond. In half the
countries for which national figures are
available, most girls are cut before the
age of five. Procedures differ according
to the country or ethnic group.
 They include removal of the clitoral hood
and clitoral glans; removal of the inner
labia; and removal of the inner and outer
labia and closure of the vulva.
 The practice is rooted in gender
inequality, attempts to control women's
sexuality, and ideas about purity,
modesty and beauty. It is usually
initiated and carried out by women, who
see it as a source of honour, and who
fear that failing to have their daughters
and granddaughters cut will expose the
girls to social exclusion.
 The health effects depend on the
procedure; they can include recurrent
infections, difficulty urinating and
passing menstrual flow, chronic pain, the
development of cysts, an inability to get
pregnant, complications during
childbirth, and fatal bleeding. There are
no known health benefits.
Partialor total removal of the external female
genitalia or other injury to the female genital
organs for non-medical reasons" (WHO, UNICEF
and UNFPA, 1997.)
Sexually Transmitted Infection
Sexually transmitted infections (STI),
also referred to as sexually transmitted
diseases (STD) and venereal diseases
(VD), are infections that are commonly
spread by sex, especially vaginal
intercourse, anal sex and oral sex. Most
STIs initially do not cause symptoms.
This results in a greater risk of passing
the disease on to others.
 Symptoms and signs of disease may
include vaginal discharge, penile
discharge, ulcers on or around the
genitals, and pelvic pain. STIs acquired
before or during birth may result in poor
outcomes for the baby. Some STIs may
cause problems with the ability to get
pregnant.
 The most effective way of preventing
STIs is by not having sex. Some
vaccinations may also decrease the risk
of certain infections including hepatitis B
and some types of HPV.
 STIs other than HIV resulted in 142,000
deaths in 2013. In the United States
there were 19 million new cases of
sexually transmitted infections in 2010.
Historical documentation of STIs date
back to at least the Ebers papyrus
around 1550 BC and the Old Testament.
 Safer sex practices such as use of
condoms, having a smaller number of
sexual partners, and being in a
relationship where each person only has
sex with the other also decreases the
risk. Circumcision in males may be
effective to prevent some infections.
Most STIs are treatable or curable
"Syphilis
is a dangerous disease, but it can be cured." Poster
encouraging treatment. Published between 1936 and 1938.
Adolescent health
Issues affecting adolescent reproductive
and sexual health are similar to those of
adults, but may include additional
concerns about teenage pregnancy and
lack of adequate access to information
and health services. Worldwide, around
16 million adolescent girls give birth
every year, mostly in low- and middle-
income countries.
 The causes of teenage pregnancy are
diverse. In developing countries girls are
often under pressure to marry young
and bear children early. Some
adolescent girls do not know how to
avoid becoming pregnant, are unable to
obtain contraceptives, or are coerced
into sexual activity.
Millennium Development
Goals
Achieving universal access to
reproductive health by 2015 is one of
the two targets of Goal 5 - Improving
Maternal Health - of the eight Millennium
Development Goals.[28] To monitor
global progress towards the
achievement of this target, the United
Nations has agreed on the following
indicators:
 5.3: contraceptive prevalence rate
5.4: adolescent birth rate
5.5: antenatal care coverage
5.6: unmet need for family planning
 According to the MDG Progress Report,
regional statistics on all four indicators
have either improved or remained stable
between the years 2000 and 2005.[29]
However, progress has been slow in
most developing countries, particularly
in Sub-saharan Africa, which remains
the region with the poorest indicators for
reproductive health.
 According to the WHO in 2005 an
estimated 55% of women do not have
sufficient antenatal care and 24% have
no access to family planning services.
Thank you!!!!