Sexual and Reproductive Health Basics

• The presentation discusses basic concepts of sexual health, reproductive health and related rights
• It is by Asst. Prof. Tülay Kavlak

Reproductive Health

• Reproductive health is defined as the absence of disease and disability in areas related to the reproductive system
• It also includes mental and social well-being
• It also refers to individuals having a satisfying and safe sex life
• It includes the ability to reproduce and the right to use this ability freely
• Sexuality is important for the health, well-being, and quality of life for all age groups
• Sexuality is discussed within the concept of reproductive health

Sexual Health

• Sexual Health is a fundamental dimension of human life
• It encompasses sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, eroticism, love, and reproduction
• Sexuality begins before birth and continues throughout life
• It is influenced by ethical, cultural, and moral factors
• It includes the body and the mind
• Values are shaped by attitudes, behaviors, physical appearance, beliefs, emotions, personality, likes, dislikes, and socialization areas
• It involves giving and receiving sexual pleasure
• It includes procreation
• It encompasses all of life and is a sensory experience
• Consists of a combination of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexuality
• It enriches personality, communication, and love
• Everyone has the right to access sexual information
• Everyone has the right to experience sexual intercourse for pleasure or for the purpose of reproduction
• Concerned not only with disease/health conditions of the genitals, but also the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and emotional state
• Defined as the absence of fear, shame, guilt and false beliefs that suppress sexual reactions
• Involves strengthening personal relationships and life

Emergence of Sexual/Reproductive Health

• Issues related to reproduction for women were brought to the fore by addressing health problems related to fertility between 15 and 49
• Evolved through maternal and child health and family planning approaches
• The concept of "Sexual Health/Reproductive Health" (SH/RH) emerged
• Emphasized individual needs and combines concepts like Reproduction, Women's Health and Family Planning
• The concept was first raised at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994
• The concept emphasized the need to address women's health within a framework of gender equality

4th World Conference on Women

• The conference was held in Beijing in 1995
• Reproductive health was emphasized, and the approach of "gender equality and development" was adopted
• Empowerment and advancement for women was an aim
• Recommendations from this conference include:
  • Women's educational, economic and social empowerment
  • Legal and social equality and equity between the sexes
  • Elimination of discrimination against the girl child
  • Ensuring reproductive health and reproductive rights
  • Providing safe maternity services by integrating them with services that benefit the whole society
  • Prevention of unhealthy miscarriages

Other concepts

• Informing adolescents about sexual and reproductive health benefit from services
• To prevent the spread of STDs and HIV reproductive health services are important
• Increase the quality, use, and adequacy of reproductive health services, especially in risky groups
• There should be mobilization of resources for SH/RH development
• CS/ÜS Kavramının Temel Öğeleri:
  • Normal function of reproductive organs
  • Healthy and happy sexual life
  • Be able to experience sexuality and fertility without coercion
  • Deciding whether to have children or not, when and how many
  • To be able to have healthy children as a result of planned pregnancies by implementing this decision as desired
  • Protecting oneself from sexually transmitted infections
  • To be able to receive treatment when necessary is indispensable for the happiness of women and men throughout their lives

Scope of activities

• Information-education communication for responsible reproduction
• Sexual behavior, responsible parenting
• Non-formal family planning services, information-education- communication and counseling in family planning
• Effective maternal health services and safe motherhood
• Prenatal care healthy birth, postpartum care, breastfeeding
• Effective control of genital tract infections (GYE)
• Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and fight against AIDS
• Prevention and treatment of infertility
• Putting an end to unsafe abortions and taking action
• Prevention and treatment of malignancies of reproductive organs
• Nutrition
• Infant and child health
• Adolescent health and sexuality
• Healthy lifestyle
• Regulation of environmental factors
• Regulation of social, cultural and behavioral factors.

Different Perspectives on Sexuality

• Sexuality is a complex whole with biological, psychological, social, cultural, traditional, moral, religious, anthropological, political and economic dimensions
• It is a basic instinct
• Sexual functions are a process carried out by a complex interaction
• There are more than 30 hormones and chemicals produced by the body
• The whole body participates, especially the central nervous system, the five senses and the genital organs
• Diseases, drugs, and substances used affect the body
• periodic situations affect sexuality.
• Healthy functioning body is essential for a healthy and happy sex life.
• Human psychology determines how sexuality is to be experienced, with whom, when, where, and how it will be stimulated and satisfied
• Sexual functions are governed by the central and peripheral nervous system
• Family, environment, beliefs, traditions and moral attitudes are determinants of sexual attitudes
• Sexual health is one of societal concerns
• Deterioration impacts physical health

Sexual Right for a person

• Freedom, dignity and equality
• Fundamental human rights
• Recognized, encouraged, respected and defended societies
• Should has access to sexual freedom, sexual choices, sexual health
• Those rights should be available regardless of, gender or mental disability

Sexual reproductive health problems

• Discrimination, lacking information lead to issues in growth
• Having children at wrong age
• Transmission of diseases due to relationships
• Inability to attain facilities for family plan