Reproductive health problems and strategies

The essentials

According to the World Health Organization, reproductive health means total well-being in all aspects of reproduction, not just the absence of disease. A reproductively healthy society has people with normal, functional reproductive organs and healthy emotional and behavioural interactions in sexual matters.

India's family planning programmes began in 1951 and were later expanded into "Reproductive and Child Health Care" (RCH) programmes. Strategies include creating awareness through audio-visual and print media, introducing sex education in schools to give correct information and discourage myths, educating couples about birth control, care of pregnant mothers, post-natal care, breastfeeding and equal opportunities for male and female children. Other strategies are preventing sexual abuse and sex-related crimes, and building medical facilities.

Amniocentesis is a test in which a small amount of amniotic fluid around the foetus is taken and the foetal cells in it are examined for chromosomal or other genetic abnormalities. Because it can also reveal the sex of the foetus, it has been misused for female foeticide, and the Government of India has banned amniocentesis for sex determination.

Key points

• Signs of improved reproductive health: lower maternal and infant mortality, better detection of STIs, small families, more medically assisted deliveries.
• Problems to address: STIs, unwanted pregnancies, myths and misconceptions about sex.
• Amniocentesis is useful for detecting disorders such as Down's syndrome.

Common mistakes

• Reproductive health is not only about the absence of disease; it includes emotional and social well-being.