Holistic View of Humans as Sexual Beings

• The presentation is on basic concepts of sexual health by Asst. Prof. Tülay Kavlak

Assessment and Evaluation

• Midterm exam accounts for 30% of the final grade
• Final exam accounts for 50% of the final grade
• The exams will have multiple-choice, true/false, and open-ended questions.
• The exams will take an average of 1 hour
• There will be 2 quiz exams, accounting for 5% of the final grade
• There will be 1 group homework and presentation, accounting for 15% of the final grade
• Each student will participate in 2 quiz exams during the semester, before the midterm and final exams
• The quiz evaluation date is determined by the instructor
• Students are required to participate in the preparation and presentation of the homework given by the instructor
• Class attendance is mandatory
• Students are expected to read the lecture notes and contribute to the course before lessons
• If a student cannot attend a course, it is their responsibility to learn what was done in that course

Course Plan

• Week 1: Basic concepts related to sexuality
• Week 2: Sexual/reproductive rights and legal regulations
• Week 3: Sex, gender and its impact on health
• Week 4: Sexual identity development according to life stages
• Week 5: Physiology of the sexual act and sexual response
• Week 6: Sexual dysfunctions in women
• Week 7: Sexual dysfunctions in men
• Week 8: Midterm Exam (April 7-11)
• Week 9: Assessment of sexual health
• Week 10: Approach to sexual problems in the nursing process
• Week 11: Sexual violence, sexual abuse
• Week 12: Group work and presentations
• Week 13: Group work and presentations
• Week 14: Group work and presentations
• Week 15-16: Final Exam (June 11-20)

Presentation Plan

• Definition of Sexual Health will be covered
• Definition of Reproductive Health will be covered
• The Importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health will be covered
• Different Perspectives on Sexuality will be covered
• Sexual Rights will be covered

Definition of Reproductive Health

• Reproductive health means the absence of disease and disability in all areas related to the reproductive system, its functions and functioning, but also the highest level of mental and social well-being

Reproductive Health

• Reproductive health refers to individuals having a satisfying and safe sex life
• It refers to individuals having the ability to reproduce and the right to use this ability freely
• Sexual health is an important and positive dimension of personal health for individuals of all age groups
• Sexuality is important for the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals, so it is included under reproductive health

Sexual Health

• Sexuality includes sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, eroticism, love, and reproduction
• Sexuality begins before birth and continues throughout life and is influenced by ethical, cultural, and moral factors
• Sexuality is a sensory experience
• Sexuality includes the body and the mind
• Values are shaped by attitudes, behaviors, physical appearance, beliefs, emotions, personality, likes and dislikes, and socialization areas
• Sexuality is affected by social norms, culture, and religion
• In addition to procreation, it involves giving and receiving sexual pleasure
• It encompasses all of life

World Health Organization definition of Sexual Health

• Sexual health includes the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexuality that enrich personality, communication, and love
• Everyone has the right to access sexual information and to experience sexual intercourse for pleasure or for the purpose of reproduction
• Man is not only bodily, but sexual health is also health that provides emotional, intellectual and social integrity
• Sexual health enriches and increases personality development, communication and sharing of love
• Sexuality includes procreation, sexual satisfaction, and is sensitive to ethical, cultural, and moral factors
• Ensuring positive sexuality and health not only concerns genitals, but includes the physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional state of the individual
• Sexual health is the disease and disability that affect reproductive and sexual functions
• It means the absence of fear, shame, guilt and false beliefs that suppress sexual reactions, negatively affect male-female relations, and the capacity to be satisfied with behaviors according to social or personal morals
• It means care and counseling not limited to STDs, but the strengthening of personal relationships

The Emergence of the Concept of Sexual and Reproductive Health

• Issues related to women's reproduction are brought up, especially health issues related to fertility between the ages of 15-49
• Child and maternal health and family planning were discussed
• The concept emerged emphasizing the individuals needs by combining the concepts of reproduction, women's health and family planning
• The concept of reproductive health was first raised at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994
• It was pointed out people live in conditions barring them to protect reproductive health or exercise their reproductive rights
• The meeting adopted increasing accessibility to sexual healthcare and reproductive services
• The concept of reproductive rights was created to emphasize individual needs/rights to enter world agenda
• This addresses women's health needs within a framework of gender equality, acting not only as a mother, but for her reproductive and sexual health in all life periods
• The 4th World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, emphasized the concept and approach of gender equality and development to empower and advance women
• Topics that directly or indirectly affected women's sexual and reproductive health were educational, economic, and focused on social empowerment
• Legal and social equality/equity between sexes
• Elimination of discrimination against female children was addressed
• Ensured reproductive health and rights
• The course provided safe maternity services by integrating them with society's needs
• Preventative measures against unhealthy miscarriages (end of pregnancy)

Additional SH/RH information

• Informing adolescents about sexual health and reproductive health so they benefit from this knowledge
• Prevention of the spread of STDs/HIV
• Improving the quality and use of reproductive services, especially in high risk groups such as young and rural populations
• Mobilization of resources for SH/RH development

Fundamental components to consider for SH/RH

• Normal function of reproductive organs
• Healthy and happy sexual life
• Ability to deal with sexuality and fertility without any burdens
• Ability to decide the number of children and when to have them
• Planning pregnancies for wanted children
• Ability to prevent/treat any STDs between partners

Scope of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

• Information and education to communicate/practice protected sex with responsible parenting
• Family planning services, with education and communication
• Effective maternal healthcare and safe motherhood like breast feeding/prenatal care
• Dealing/treating consequences of abortion
• Preventing/treating tumors/defects of reproductive systems
• Nutrition
• Genital infections Prevention against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS
• Infertility
• Lifestyle choices
• Infant and child health
• Adolescent sexuality health
• Healthy lifestyles
• Regulation of social, cultural, environment factors

Different Perspectives on Sexuality

• Sexuality is a complex whole with biological, psychological, social, cultural, economic dimensions
• Approach to sexual health includes different perspectives
  • Biological
  • Sociocultural
  • Psychological
• Biological: Sexuality is instinct
  • Interaction of 30+ chemicals and hormones
  • Health determined by nervous system, five senses and genital organs
  • Diseases and unhealthy things can affect persons sexuality
  • Healthy body = successful happy life
• Psychological: Body's functionality impacts sexuality
  • Human psychology determines how sexuality is to be experienced
  • Sexual functions are mainly governed by the nervous system
  • Attitude, personality traits, emotion, learned behaviors determine approach
• Sociocultural: Family, environment, culture, traditions, religious beliefs are determinants
  • Causes major roles to take part on sexual functions.
  • Vaginismus (muscles tense when trying to insert something into the vagina) is caused by conservative social traditions
• All three perspectives should be analyzed in the individual's sexual life
• Treatment approaches define the patient as biopsychosocial

Standardization and Deterioration

• Sexual health concerns society in general
• Poor sexual health leads to interruption of physical issues
• Mental health worsens for men and women, followed by family and societal health
• Poor sexual health makes people unhappy
• Protecting sexual health is an individual right by the WHO.
• In order to standardize, defines sexual health as a state of complete physical, psychosocial and sociocultural well-being and continuity of sexual aspect

World Association for Sexual Health

• The organization creates programs and policies to enact sexual freedoms
• Sexual rights are universal human rights, based on everyones equality
• Since health is a human right, sexual health is as well
• Sexual healthcare development ensures rights and encouragement

Sexual Rights

The right to:

• Sexual freedom.
• Sexual autonomy, sexual integrity.
• Sexual privacy.
• Sexual equality.
• Sexual pleasure.
• Emotional sexual expression
• Freely engage in sexual relationships.
• Free and discreet reproductive choices.
• Information based on scientific research.
• Comprehensive sexuality education.
• Sexual health care.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Problems

• Gender discrimination at growth and development
• Lack of information as a child turns adult
• Underestimation from responsibilities/knowledge when getting into physical relationships
• Possibility of transmitting STDs without realizing
• Raising kids as a young parent
• Inability to benefit from qualified health or lack of resources/awareness

SH/RH Services

• Preconceptional care
• Premarital counseling/tests
• Safe motherhood program
• Prenatal care services
• Birth in health institutions
• Postpartum care services
• Services related to family planning methods
• Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS services
• Assisted reproductive services
• Sexual health education