Reproductive health/family planning and the health of infants, girls and women

Abstract

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development developed international consensus amongst health providers, policy makers, and group representing the whole of civil society regarding the concept of reproductive health and its definition. In line with this definition, reproductive health care is defined as the constellation of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive health and well-being by preventing and solving reproductive health problems. Reproductive health care saves lives and prevents significant levels of morbidity through family planning programmes, antenatal, delivery and post-natal services, prevention and management programmes for reproductive tract infections (including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS), prevention of abortion and management of its complications, cancers of the reproductive system, and harmful practices that impact on reproductive function. Reproductive health care needs are evident at all stages of the life cycle and account for a greater proportion of disability adjusted life years (DALYS) in girls and women than in boys and men. Reproductive health protects infant health by enabling birth spacing and birth limitation to be practiced through family planning. The prevention and early detection of reproductive tract infections, including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, through the integration of preventive measures in family planning service delivery not only improves the quality of care provided but is also directly responsible for improvement in survival and health of infants. Addressing harmful practices such as son preference, sex selection, sexual violence and female genital mutilation complements the positive impact of planned and spaced children through family planning services on infant mortality and the reproductive health of young girls and women. They are also in addition to prenatal, delivery and postnatal services, positive determinants of low maternal mortality and morbidity and are integral to the promotion of reproductive health in women of child bearing age. Reproductive tract infections, including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV contribute to significant level of ill-health in women of reproductive age and continue to pose a threat through the menopause which in turn brings with it increasing risk of cancers of the reproductive system.

Study of Knowledge and Practice of University Females Regarding Reproductive Health and Hygiene in Hail, Saudi Arabia

“…The present study also highlighted that females should have proper knowledge regarding their reproductive health to protect them from any suffering. It is a well known fact that reproductive health is a very important part of health of an individual in general as it paves way for the health of future generations (24). Re-38 productive health problems should be solved on the first priority basis by focusing on the programs and services responsible for it (25).…”

Quality of reproductive health care provided by community health centers of a district located in western India- a mixed method study

“…[1][2][3][4] Reproductive health care (RHC) is; the constellation of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive health and well-being through preventing and solving reproductive health problems. 5 As the majority of health infrastructure is in existence before introduction of IPHS and there is scant information available on assessment of these standards in the state studied and India. This study was planned to assess the quality of reproductive health care provided by community health center (CHC) facilities which is crucial to bring improvement in reproductive health care.…”

Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: The Contraceptive CHOICE Project in Review

“…1 Effective family planning could prevent as many as one in every three maternal deaths globally by delaying motherhood, spacing births, avoiding unintended pregnancies and abortions, and allowing women to stop childbearing when they have reached their desired family size. [2][3][4] Unlike the oral contraceptive pill or injection, long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, such as the intrauterine device (IUD) and subdermal implant, are designed so that once inserted, a woman does not have to think about using birth control on a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. Women who use LARC methods experience effectiveness rates of greater than 99%; perfect and typical use effective rates are equivalent.…”