REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Group 5

“Reproductive Health is defined as a state of physical, mental, and social

well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, at all stages of

life.”(Galvez Tan, et al., 2009)

Reproductive health is crucial for it paves the way for your social and

economic development.Furthermore, it has also a great

influence in the health of the next generation.

To aid the reproductive health needs of the citizens, the government mandated

the RA 10354 or most commonly known as the Responsible Parenthood

and reproductive Health Act.

The Responsible Parenthood and

Reproductive Health Act

Pillar 1: INFORMED CHOICE-effective and quality reproductive

healthcare services, which are ethically and medically safe, legal, accessible, and affordable, shall be given primacy to ensure the health of the mother and

child.

Pillar 1: INFORMED CHOICE-shall promote and provide unbiased

information and access to these services

-covers the provision for the integration of reproductive health and sexuality

education in schools, and other educational settings

Pillar 2: RESPECT FOR LIFE-recognizes that abortion is illegal and

punishable by law-However, mothers will be identified to have aborted an unborn child will be

served with post-abortive treatment and counseling in a humane, nonjudgmental

and compassionate manner.

Pillar 3: BIRTH CONTROL-reproductive healthcare, information, and

supplies shall be made available most especially to poor beneficiaries.-the Act provisions also that the

government must respect the citizen’s individual preferences and choices of

family planning method.

Pillar 4: RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD

-couples determine their ideal family size-in addition, the government shall equip

each parent with needed information in all aspects of family life, reproductive health,

and this pillar.

Reproductive health also concerns problems such as sexually-transmitted

infections.

According to Dr. Natividad (2013), in the Young Adult fertility and Sexuality Study of 2013 (YAFS-4), a survey of

Filipino college and high school graduates, 36.2% and 43.5%

respectively admitted to having engaged in premarital sex.

In addition, 66.7% and 79.6% did not use any protection at first pre marital sex. These scenarios are most often

the causes of infections.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is caused by human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which usually does not have symptoms in its

early stages.

“Initially, people with HIOV were diagnosed as having AIDS only

when the developed blood infections, the cancer known as

Kaposi’s sarcoma, or any of the 21 other indicator diseases.”

(Donatelle, 2006)

In addition, HIV is highly infectious through unprotected sexual

intercourse, breastfeeding (of an infected mother to infant), and blood transfusion/injecting drugs (needles

used for infected patients).

Currently, there are several treatment options for HIV and AIDS, but NO

known cure yet.In this light, the government also puts

its efforts to eradicate these sex-related diseases, most especially AIDS.

The Republic Act No. 8504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control

Act of 1998 was passed by the Congress on July 28, 1997.

The Act promulgates “policies and prescribing measures for the

prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

The Act also provides for education and information dissemination in

various institutions and agencies, safe practice and procedures(testing,

screening, and counseling) in health organizations and associations.

Monitoring of cases with confidentiality, and programs for anti-discriminatory acts (in the workplace, hospitals, and

other public institutions).