Reliable info on reproductive health to be available online soon
by Rory Visco, https://www.facebook.com/, https://www.facebook.com/BusinessMirror/ · BusinessMirror- Rory Visco
- November 7, 2024
- 4 minute read
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), whose mission is “to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled,” defines good sexual and reproductive health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system.”
The agency maintains that people “are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so.” However, there is the need for people “to have access to accurate information and the safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception method of their choice” in order to maintain sexual and reproductive health.
It said that people “must be informed and empowered to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. And when they decide to have children, women must have access to skilled health care providers and services that can help them have a fit pregnancy, safe birth and healthy baby.”
Alarming teen pregnancies
THE adolescent birth rate in the Philippines exceeds the Asia Pacific average and is among the highest in the world. Even more alarming, according to non-profit organization Save the Children Philippines, was the distressing 35-percent increase in pregnancies among children 10 to 14 years old. This figure was echoed by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, where it showed an upward trend in pregnancies under the age of 15 since 2017 when in 2022, the PSA noted 3,135 pregnancy cases, 35-percent more compared to the 2,320 cases reported the year before.
Save the Children Philippines said these alarming numbers are not just statistics but represent the stolen childhoods of countless young girls whose lives are trapped in a persistent cycle of poverty, discrimination, and lost opportunities. They are left with no choice but to abandon their education and assume the heavy responsibilities of parenthood, and thus robbed of the chance to have a brighter future.
“These figures tell a heartbreaking story of young lives derailed by circumstances beyond their control. Girls as young as 10 are being thrust into the role of mothers, while still children themselves,” said Wilma Banaga, Child Protection Advisor at Save the Children Philippines.
The Philippines has a law, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10354) that provides information and access to reproductive health services. The law, which defines reproductive health as a “state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters related to the reproductive system” and “includes the right to make free and informed decisions about reproduction, without coercion or violence,” continues to face challenges, particularly in the area of contraception use and the implementation of its rules and regulations.
Correct, trustworthy information
IT has been shown by various studies that adolescents remain vulnerable to reproductive health and sexuality problems, where drug use and premarital sexual behavior present risks such as those related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission. Correct and trustworthy sources of information regarding reproductive health are seen to help reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies and even contracting HIV among adolescents.
A recent study on the value of obtaining reproductive health information from sources such as friends, family/parents, community, social media/internet showed that information provided by friends seems to be the most influential, opening teenagers to more health risks, particularly HIV since the information is far from being credible, accurate, and comprehensive. It is now imperative to find more credible sources of information on reproductive health and sexuality since information from friends tends to be impossible to understand and are leaned toward sexual behavior without providing any explanation as to its impact.
In the Philippines, misinformation on sexual and reproductive health continues to circulate. Oftentimes, outdated beliefs and stigma prevent many individuals from accessing accurate information or having open discussions, leaving them susceptible to misinformation and sexual health risks. It is seen that accessible and comprehensive resources on sexual and reproductive health are not only valuable but essential as well. Without reliable information, people remain vulnerable to the confusion and stigma often surrounding these topics, where their understanding of reproductive rights and ability to make empowered choices becomes limited.
Since many Filipinos spend a substantial amount of time on social media or the Internet, going online to find information is another option fraught with danger since these sources often churn out unverified material. This makes it perilous to adolescents, particularly impressionable young girls, and can thus complicate the start of their reproductive health journeys. Without credible information, people struggle to understand their reproductive health rights, make informed decisions, and access the care and protection that they need.
Reproductive health website
But there is promise in the horizon when it comes to addressing the challenges of acquiring correct and trustworthy reproductive health information from the internet. Trust Reproductive Health Choices, the commercial brand of DKT Health Inc., a social enterprise at the forefront of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Philippines, will soon introduce a new and improved reproductive health information website.
The website is designed and positioned to serve as a vital and empowering resource hub for reliable reproductive health information. It aims to create a compassionate, judgment-free community where individuals can anonymously explore diverse reproductive health topics such as family planning, contraceptive methods, and more on their personal devices.
Users will find in the website several easy-to-navigate resources, including expert articles and interactive tools such as an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, that foster informed decision-making. Whether seeking information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) or guidance on safe practices, this mobile-friendly site offers a broad range of reliable information that will support informed choices among Filipinos.
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