introduction too sexual and reproductive health rights

the presentation outlines the sexual and reproductive rights and defines what is sexual and reproductive health

1. Introduction to sexual and reproductive health and rights 1

2. objectives By the end of the learning session, students should be able to: Define sexual and reproductive health Define reproductive health care Describe the current reproductive health status in Malawi Explain the components of sexual reproductive health 2

3. objectives By the end of the learning session, students should be able to: Discuss national sexual and reproductive health policies Describe reproductive health rights Explain the determinants of SRH Explain the common reproductive health problems in both males and females 3

4. introduction Sexual and reproductive health issues are very crucial part of human growth and development Previously SRH was mainly about fertility control (In 1970s) . Malawi ranks lowest in Reproductive Health 4

5. INTRODUCTION CT.. The Malawi Government is committed to providing comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services in line with the National Health Policy and the recommendations of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt, 1994. 5

6. definition Sexual Health The absence of illness and injury associated with sexual behaviour and a sense of sexual well-being The positive integration of physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexuality 6

7. Definition continued Reproductive health A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. 7

8. Reproductive health ct.. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. 8

9. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE Reproductive health care is defined as the constellation of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive health and well-being through preventing 9

10. reproductive health STATUS IN MALAWI Total population- 19.4 million Youth population – 20.2% Fertility rate- 4.4 from 5.7 in 2010 Age at first sexual intercourse 16.8 - females 18.5 - males Age at first birth- 19 (NSO & ICF International, 2016) 10

11. reproductive health STATUS IN MALAWI Contraceptive prevalence rate- 58% Maternal mortality rate (MMR) – 349/100,000 (Ministry of Health 2019) Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) - 19.1/1000 Child mortality rate (CMR ) - 23/1000 Under-five mortality rate (UMR)- 64/1000 HIV prevalence rate - 10.8% HIV prevalence among Youth- 4% 11

12. components OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH Safe motherhood Family planning Prevention and management of complications of abortion STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention and management of sub fertility Adolescent reproductive health Youth friendly health services Reproductive cancers Gender based violence 12

13. National Sexual reproductive health policies and strategies Maternal and Neonatal Health policy Family planning policy STI, HIV and AIDS policy Reproductive cancers policy Infertility policy Young people in reproductive health policy Obstetric fistula policy Harmful practices/ domestic violence policy Male involvement in reproductive health policy Resources and supporting systems policy 13

14. National sexual and reproductive STI, HIV and AIDS policy Goal To reduce incidence of new STI HIV infections Read on the policy statements 14

15. National sexual and reproductive health policies… Policy on Reproductive Cancers Goal To reduce the incidence and complications of cancers of reproductive organs in all men and women Policy Statements Screening of cervical and breast cancers should be integrated and routinely offered to all women at all levels Offering of screening for prostate cancer to all men aged above 40 years at all levels 15

16. Strategies for achieving policy on reproductive cancers Strengthen awareness for the prevention and management of reproductive health cancers . Strengthen the infrastructure for screening of cancers among men and women. 16

17. Reproductive health rights Specific rights relevant to sexual and reproductive health Right to the highest attainable standard of health. Right to life and survival. Right to liberty and security of person. Right to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. 17

18. Reproductive health rights Right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of one’s children and to have the information and means to do so. Right of women to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including sexual and reproductive health, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. The same right of men and women to marry only with their free and full consent. 18

19. Reproductive health rights ct.. Right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, and to consent to experimentation. Right to privacy. Right to participation. 19

20. Reproductive health rights ct.. Right to freedom from discrimination (on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, age, race and ethnicity, health status/disability). Right of access to information. Right to education. Right to freedom from violence against women. 20

21. DETERMINANTS OF SRH These are factors that affects SRH. SRH affects, and is affected by, the broader context of peoples life, economic, education, employment, living conditions & family environment, social & gender relationships & the traditional & legal structures within which they live. 21

22. DETERMINANTS OF SRH Biological factors Our genetic constitution, including diseases to which we are more susceptible. Women = pregnancy and its complications; child birth, Ca cervix Men = prostate Ca , BPH 22

23. Determinants of SRH Social-cultural factors Society around us Education, cultural beliefs (taboos), gender norms, religious beliefs 23

24. Determinants of SRH Politics Politician’s and legislators influence legal and policy frameworks in the shaping of societies by controlling the resources that can be allocated in the SRH, e.g. if other departments are being prioritised rather than SRH this means that there will be inefficient human and material resources due to lack of funds. 24

25. Determinants of SRH Laws & policies can advance women’s rights and health and can obstruct their autonomy and choice in decisions regarding their SRH 25

26. DETERMINANTS OF SRH Demographic factors 36% of all health years in women is lost due to reproductive health problems such as unregulated fertility, maternal mortality, morbidity and STI’s including HIV. In men rate is at 12% and this means their (women) reproductive health is vulnerable. 26

27. Determinants ct.. Economic factor The richer people indulge themselves in family planning / SRH services unlike the poorer (5.7 fertility rate in the rural vs 3 in the urban) 27

28. Determinants ct … Geographical factor Distance from where the people live to where the SRH services are offered can also determine the accessibility of these services 28

29. Determinants of SRH People Providers of health care services are also strong determinants of SRH. Individual beliefs/attitudes towards SRH services 29

30. Common ISSUES / srh problems Gender Based Violence/IPV Sexual abuse Underutilization of SRH services Reproductive cancers 30

31. Common RH problems in men STIs Prostate and testicular cancers Erectile dysfunction (ED) Impotence Premature ejaculation (PE) 1.8 minutes 7.3 minutes – average man 25 minutes (reported at the 2006 Congress of the European Society for Sexual Medicine) 31

32. Common RH problems IN FEMALES Cervical cancer Breast cancer STIs Pregnancy related problems: Post partum haemorrhage Sepsis Eclampsia Abortions 32

33. REFERENCES Ministry of Health, 2009, National Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Policy. MOH . (2021). HSSP III Development Inception Report National statistics Office & ICF International (2016). Malawi Demographic and Health survey 2015. Zomba : ICF International The World Bank. (2022, June 03). World Bank Open Data. Retrieved from The World Bank: https://data.worldbank.org/ 33