Shed taboos to accept sex health is important for health of society

 

 

The birth, growth, nutrition, prevention of diseases, healthy sexual relationship with her spouse, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, good antenatal, intra-natal and post-natal care, are all very important when we talk about the reproductive health of a woman. According WHO, reproductive health is defined as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well being”. Implicit in this last condition is the right of men and women to be informed and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice, as well as other methods of choice for regulation of fertility which are not against the law, and the right of access to appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy child.

Sexual and reproductive rights are like basic human rights for men and women. It is a part of “right to health for all”. It should be ensured that all women have access to quality reproductive healthcare. The various indicators of reproductive health include fertility rate, maternal mortality rate (MMR), peri-natal mortality rate, low birth weight prevalence, anaemia in pregnancy, prevalence of infertility, female genital mutilation, HIV prevalence in pregnant women, contraceptive prevalence, antenatal prevalence, comprehensive obstetric care, abortion rates…etc.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) charter on sexual and reproductive rights was approved by the governing body and 127 member associations in 1995. There are 12 sexual and reproductive rights which include the right to life, right to liberty and security of the person, right to equality and to be free from all forms of discrimination, among other things. Women play a major role in the ‘creation of life’. There is still a dismal scenario as far as woman’s reproductive health is concerned. High rate of female foeticide, high incidence of anaemia and nutritional disorders in adolescent pregnancies and abortions are major examples for this. STDs/HIV/AIDS, sexual abuse within and outside marriage, lack of antenatal check-up, childbirth disorders, high maternal and infant mortality are some more areas which must be taken care.

Health is also directly proportional to literacy and awareness. High level of awareness and preventive measures can act as prophylaxis for many diseases and deaths. AEC or access, education and counselling will help prevent and treat reproductive health problems. In addition we have gender discrimination, dowry deaths, and sexual harassment.

We can adopt a few crucial strategies to improve reproductive health. Most important among these are effective government policies and their implementation, public awareness, role of NGOs and other organisations, commitment of doctors, preventive strategies, quality healthcare to both rural and urban people, early diagnosis and treatment facilities and adolescent health education in schools and colleges. Print and audio-visual media are the most powerful educators as far as health issues are concerned.

Sexual heath has direct bearing on the reproductive health. Non-consummation of marriage, congenital and developmental problems of genitalia, female sexual dysfunction, male sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disorders, can lead to infertility, disturbed interpersonal relationships. Everyone is convinced about the usefulness of sex education, awareness and safe sexual practices. Awareness can eliminate half problems related to reproductive and sexual diseases. Only, society has to shed taboos and accept that sex and sex health is most important for the health of society itself.