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This report is focused on illustrating the interface between culture, gender and reproductive health issues addressed by UNFPA. It draws attention to challenges and opportunities in terms of both issues and strategies that have implications for programming interventions.

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This research report explores the sexual and reproductive health intentions and needs of HIV positive women and adolescent girls in Brazil, Ethiopia and the Ukraine and probes issues relating to family planning, sexually transmitted infections, breast and cervical cancer, maternity care services and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission as well as issues of access and quality of care.

In addition to providing a list of essential reproductive health supplies, this guidebook outlines the steps necessary for including reproductive health medicines on country-level lists of essential medicines. It also highlights the consequences of poor reproductive health and the importance of devoting resources to its betterment and reviews the concept of essential medicines lists and their significance.

 

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD, September 1994) established the effective prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as an integral component of reproductive health services. There is a key programmatic linkage between family planning and the prevention of HIV in women and children.This was the focus of a high-level consultation convened by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Glion, Switzerland, in May 2004.

Although the international community has pledged to address mental health problems related to sexual and reproductive health, too many women and men still suffer their deleterious effects. For example, 20-30% or more women experience depression during pregnancy or after childbirth in developing countries. Mental health should be addressed routinely as part of sexual and reproductive health services.

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