Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day: Sexual Health Education

Highlights :

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness day is celebrated on February 12 annually
• Sexual health education is the need of the hour
• The Janasankhya Sthirata Koshhas started a helpline to give counseling services and immediate answers on sexual and reproductive health

Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness day is celebrated on February 12, every year, to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health issues and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It was initiated in Canada, but various other countries celebrate it. From discussing the horrors of genital mutilation and why it needs to stop to more open conversations on the sexual health between partners, this day encourages awareness of various subject avenues.

Need for Sexual and Reproductive Health Education

In India, discussing sexual wellness and reproductive health issues openly is considered taboo, due to which many health issues go unnoticed for years. The celebration of this day aims to make this subject a much more comfortable topic to discuss.

Sex education on what to expect and safe sex are the main health promotion components, as STIs remain a significant health concern. There are various sexual health issues like HIV, AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) that affect millions of people across India.

Lack of awareness and proper guidance on sexuality and reproductive health make adolescents more vulnerable to sexual exploitation, early unintended pregnancy, STDs, and other health physical and mental issues.

Many patients are hesitant to talk about sexual health with their doctors due to embarrassment or lack of knowledge on the topic. Even health care professionals don’t introduce the topic to their patients, resulting in their patients feeling unrecognized and unserved.

Other various issues that still exist in these liberated times include -

• Girls are unaware of proper hygiene maintenance during periods
• Teenage kids are unaware of what changes to expect during puberty, leading to many mental health issues like body dysmorphia

Actions Taken Towards Sexual and Reproductive Health

The National Population Stabilization Fund (Janasankhya Sthirata Kosh) has started a helpline to give counseling services and immediate answers on sexual and reproductive health. The helpline number is 1800-11-6555 and operates daily from 9 am to 11 pm. This helpline also aims to remove misconceptions about sex.

The team consists of health executives and doctors that answer questions on :

• Sexual health concerns
• Sexually transmitted diseases and infections
• Pregnancy, Contraceptives, Infertility, and Abortions
• Puberty and Menopause
• Reproductive systems of males and females.

What Needs To Be addressed?

Contents on sexual and reproductive health education should also address the following :

• Physical and emotional changes associated with puberty
• Behavior towards the opposite gender, gender standards, and moral codes
• Sexual problems, how to identify them, their solutions, and therapy

Tips on Maintaining Intimate Hygiene

• Regular medical checkups for both men and women
• Regular usage of condoms
• Vaccinations
• Post sex cleanup
• Getting tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and STIs

Women should practice basic vaginal hygiene rules –avoiding the use of soap and scented products that may alter the pH level.

References:

1. National Health Portal - (https://www.nhp.gov.in/)
2. Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week 2021 - (https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/srh-awareness-week/)
3. Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week - (https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/news/sexual-and-reproductive-health-awareness-week-2)

Source-Medindia