Reproductive Health Class #1

What Is Reproductive Health ?

Definition  Reproductive health is “ a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes at all stages of life.” (International Conference on Population and Development, Program of Action, 1994).

 Reproductive health, then, is concerned with people’s ability to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life, their capability to reproduce, and their having the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.

Implicit rights of both men and women:  to be informed of safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of fertility regulation;  to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of fertility regulation of their choice; which are not against the law  to have access to appropriate health care services that will enable women to go through pregnancy and childbirth safely, and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant.

Importance of Reproductive Health  Reproductive health is a human right stated in international law.  Reproductive health is a crucial part of general health and a central feature of human development.  Reproductive health plays an important role in morbidity, mortality and life expectancy.  Reproductive health problems are the leading cause of women’s ill health and mortality worldwide.  Because reproductive health is such an important component of general health it is a prerequisite for social, economic and human development.

Factors affecting reproductive health:  biological,  Cultural,  psychosocial & economic factors.

Reproductive health services include:  Satisfying, safe sex life  Ability to reproduce  Successful maternal and infant survival and outcomes  Freedom to control reproduction  Information about and access to safe, effective, affordable methods of family planning  Ability to minimize gynecologic disease throughout life

Global actions for reproductive health:  The International Conference on Population and Development program of Action, in  Millennium development goals and reproductive health in 2000

MDG’s  The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s), which grew out of the United Nations Millennium Declaration adopted by 189 member states in 2000, provide an international framework for measuring progress towards sustaining development and eliminating poverty.  Of the eight Goals, four are directly related to reproductive health:  Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower women  Goal 4 Reduce child mortality  Goal 5 Improve maternal health  Goal 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other disease (United Nations. The Millenium Development Goals, 2000).

ICPD Program Components of Reproductive Health  Safe Motherhood  Male responsibility *  Family Planning (freedom of couple to plan their families)  Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV and AIDS  Gender-Based Violence (equity in gender relations)* What’s unique? The approach recognizes the central importance of gender equality, men's participation and responsibility.

Global Indicators of Reproductive Health  Fertility  Life Expectancy  Perinatal Mortality  Low birth weight  Maternal Mortality

References  Anderson, B. A. (2005). Reproductive Health: Women and Men's Shared Responsibility. Sundbury, MA: Jones &Bartlett Publisher  World Health Organization website  United Nation website

Assignment  Discuss the MDG’s exploring their relationship with Reproductive Health, and indicating the progress in achieving these goals  Discuss the global indicator of reproductive health, including the following in your discussion:  Definition of indicator, global and local progress including recent statistics  Please provide clear and full citation