Reproductive Health: Nepal

Reproductive
Health
Kishor Adhikari (Ph D Scholar)
Asst. Prof., Com. Med.,
National Medical College

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
• Reproductive health (RH) is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well being in all matters related to the
reproductive system and to its function and processes.

• Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to
have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the
capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when,
and how often to do so.
• Implicit in this last condition are the right of men and women
to be informed and have access to safe, effective, affordable
and acceptable method of family planning of their choices and
the right to access to appropriate health care services that will
enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth

Kishor Adhikari, Asst. Prof., Com. Med.,
Natioinal Medcal College, TH, Birgunj

 Reproductive health therefore implies that people
are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life
and that they have the capability to reproduce
and the freedom to decide if, when, and how
often to do so.

 It is recognized that RH is a crucial part of overall
health and is central to human development
which affects every body.


COMPONENTS
1. Safe motherhood
2. Family planning.
3. Child health
4. Prevention and management of
complications of abortion
5. RTI/STI/HIV/AIDS
6. Prevention and management of sub fertility
7. Adolescent reproductive health
8. Problems of elderly women
9. Gender based violence


Scope of Reproductive Health
The reproductive health within the context of
primary health care includes following essential
components:
 Family planning counseling, information, education,
communication and services (emphasizing the
prevention of unwanted pregnancy).
 Safe motherhood; education, and service for
healthy pregnancy, safe delivery and postnatal care
including breast feeding.
 Care of new born
 Prevention and management of complications of
abortion


Contd.
 Prevention and management of RTIs, STDs,
HIV/AIDS and other RH conditions.
 Information, education, and counseling, as
appropriate, on human sexuality, reproductive
health and responsible parenthood for
individuals, couples, and adolescent.
 Prevention and management of sub fertility
 Life-cycle issues including breast cancer, cancer
of the reproductive system and care of the
elderly.


Evolution of the concept
 The original model of RH in 1970 focused
mainly on fertility control
 a new paradigm of RH has been emerged at
the International Conference of Population
and Development (ICPD) in 1994 –focused on
human right.
 This model encompasses broader concept of
RH that has considered basic human rights,
Human development and individual wellbeing
at all stages of life.

Evolution of the concept Contd.

 Some important human rights related to
reproductive health are as follows;
 Right to lead a responsible and satisfied sex
life.
 Right to reproduce and freedom to decide
when and how often to do so.
 Right to be informed about advantages,
possible risks and side effects of
contraceptives.

Contd.
 Right to have free, equal access to safe,
effective, affordable, and acceptable
method of fertility regulation.
 Right to get access to appropriate health
service of good quality to go through safe
pregnancy and child birth.
The new concept of RH was endorsed in
1995 by Fourth World Conference on
Women in Beijing.


EVOLUTION OF REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH SERVICE IN NEPAL
 Family planning (private sector in 1958,
public policy in 1965.
 Family planning and MCH program in 1968
 STD and AIDS control programme in 1988.
 Safe motherhood policy in 1994.
 National safe Motherhood Plan (2002-2017).


Approaches to address the RH problems

 RH is not a new programme, but rather a new
approach which seeks to strengthen the
existing safe motherhood, family planning,
HIV/AIDS, STD, Child survival and nutrition
programmes with a holistic life cycle
approach.
 This calls for strengthening interdivisional
linkages within the department of health
services as well as between other sectors e.g.
Education, and women and development,
local development at the legal system.

Guiding principle of Reproductive health
developed by ICPD:

 Empowerment of women
 Involve women, women’s organization
 Promote men’s participation in RH/FP
 Assure highest level of quality of care
 Integrated services
 Make available effective methods of
FP.

NATIONAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
STRATEGY
 Implement the Integrated Reproductive Health
Package at all levels based on standardized clinical
protocols and operational guidelines.
 Enhance functional integration of RH activities
carried out by different divisions.
 Emphasize advocacy for the concept of RH
including inter and intra-sectoral collaboration.
 Review and develop IEC materials
 Review and update the existing training curricula of
various health workers.
 Ensure effective management system by
strengthening and revitalizing existing committees at
various levels.

CONTD.
 Develop national RH research strategies which
outlines research priorities and work plans based on
information requirements of policy makers, planners,
managers, and service providers
 Construct /upgrade appropriate service delivery and
training facilities at the National, regional, District
and health post level.
 Institutional strengthening through structural
planning, monitoring/ Supervision and performance
evaluation review.
 Develop an appropriate RH programme for
adolescents
 Support for national experts/consultants
 Promote inter-sectoral and multi-sectoral co-
ordination. Kishor Adhikari, Asst. Prof., Com. Med.,

INTEGRETED HEALTH PACKAGE
 Based on the essential element of Comprehensive
Reproductive health Care, an integrated health care
package has been adopted for Nepal. The integrated
Reproductive health care package will include;
 Family planning
 Safe motherhood
 Child health (new born care)
 Prevention and, management of complications of
abortion
 RTI/STD/HIV/AIDS
 Prevention and management of sub fertility
 Adolescent reproductive health
 Problem of elderly women, i.e. uterine prolapse, cervical
and breast cancers treatment at tertiary and private
sectors.

LEVEL OF INTERVENTION
 Family / Decision makers’ level

 Community level

 Sub-health post /Health post level

 Primary health care center level

 District level


Major problems related to RH

1. Maternal morbidities:
a. Immediate complications:
Sepsis, hypertensive disorders,
hemorrhage etc.
b. Long term complications:
Vesicovaginal or rectovaginal fistula,
uterine prolapse, Pelvic inflammatory
diseases, urinary or faecal
incontinence.Natioinal Medcal College, TH, Birgunj

Contd.
c. Indirect obstetric morbidity:
Resulted from diseases like
anaemia, TB, aggravated by the
physiological effects of pregnancy.
d. Psychological obstetric morbidity:
Postpartum psychosis or depression
and other mental health problems


2. Gynecological morbidity:
Condition, disease or dysfunction of
reproductive system that is not related to
pregnancy, abortion or childbirth, but may be
related to sexual behavior.
a. Reproductive tract infection
i) STIs: Viral, bacterial, chlamydial infections,
gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, chancroid,
genital herpes, genital warts and HIV.
ii) Endogenous infections: overgrowth of
organisms normally present in the vagina e.g.
bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis.

Contd.
iii) Iatrogenic infections: introduction of
microorganism into the reproductive tract
through a medical procedure.
b. Endocrine or hormonal disorder:
Metrorrhagia, amenorrhea, menorrhagia,
dysmenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea
c. Infertility:
WHO estimates 8-12% of couples are
infertile.
causes: endocrinal disorder, STI, puerperal
sepsis, post abortion sepsis, congenital

Contd.
d. Uterine prolapse
 Causes:
 Multiparity,
 Excess intra abdominal pressure
 Tissue atrophy
 Chronic health problem: constipation,
pulmonary disease etc.
 Family history
 Hard physical labour, lifting heavy weights
 Poor nutrition

Contd.
e. Gynaecological cancers:
 Cervical cancer
 Breast cancer
 Endometrial cancer
 Ovarian cancer
 Vaginal caner
 Vulva cancer
 Rarely fallopian tubes.
f. Sexual dysfunction
g. Menopausal problems

FAMILY / DICSISION MAKERS
LEVEL

1. Family planning

 Need identification

 Knowledge of shops and institutions where
contraceptives are available.

2.Safe Motherhood
 Identification of pregnant woman and recognition
of danger signs
 Provide nutritious diet, supplements and
adequate rest to pregnant women.
 Encourage utilization of antenatal care services.
 Identify SBA for care during delivery.
 Birth preparedness and complication readiness
including arrangement of emergency funds and
transport.
 Encourage utilization of postnatal care.
 Encourage registration of maternal death

3.New born care
 Proper care of newborn baby
 Identification of danger signs and complications
related to newborn and seek care from appropriate
health institution.
 Complete immunization as the schedule of EPI
programme.
 Registration of neonatal birth and death event.

abortion complication

 Recognition of sign and
symptoms of abortion
complications.
 Know where to seek help.

5. RTI/STI/HIV/AIDS

 Promotion of condom.
 Recognize RTI/STD symptoms and
seek care.
 Treatment of both partners in the
case of infection.

6. Infertility

 Identification of Infertility

 Seek care and treatment of infertility by both
partners.

7. Adolescent health

Family life education programme; eg,
discussion between parents and
children about
 delay marriage,
 delay pregnancy,
 nutritious diet especially to daughter
 education to daughters etc.

8. Elderly RH problem

 Identification of RH problem of
reproductive organs.
 Identification of different health
institutions for their treatment and
management.

RH SERVICE AT COMMUNITY
LEVEL
1.Family planning
 Sexuality and gender information, education, and
counseling for adolescents, youth, men, and
women.
 Community based contraceptives distribution
through community based health workers /
volunteers, women’s groups, community based
workers.
 Social marketing of condoms and re-supply of oral
pills through community service.
 Counseling and referral for other contraceptive
methods.
 IEC for LAM.

2. Safe Motherhood
 Counseling /education for breast feeding, nutrition, FP,
rest exercise etc.
 Awareness rising for risk factors.
 Recognizing dangers signs Support SBA
 Create awareness about services that SBA offers.
 Mobilize community to support referral and
transportation ( emergency fund and transport)
 Identification of local health institution of maternal and
neonatal health MNH) services.

 Help the poor and underprivileged to utilize MNH
services.
 IEC /counseling for danger signs during pregnancy,
delivery, postpartum for mother.
 Identify potential blood donors for emergency.
 Encourage utilization of antenatal care services.
 Birth preparedness and complication readiness with
families (delivery by SBA and preparation or
arrangement of emergency funds and transport).
 Detection of complication complications in mother
and baby and facilitation for referral to health facility.
 Postnatal visit for mother and baby.
 Encourage for registration of maternal death.

3. New born care

 Counseling /education for breast feeding, baby care
prevention from hypothermia, immunization.
 Early and exclusive breast feeding promotion and
counseling.
 Identification of danger sign related to newborn
baby refer to nearest appropriate health facility.
 Promotion and management of neonatal
hypothermia by keeping baby warm and immediate
breast feeding.
 Encourage to complete immunization for newborn
as the schedule of EPI programme.
 Encourage for registration of neonatal birth and
death event.


 Counseling on prevention of unwanted pregnancy,
or FP counseling, and re-supply of oral pills and
condom.
 Recognition of danger signs for spontaneous and
induced abortion with referral to nearest appropriate
health facility for diagnosis and treatment.
 Recognition of sign and symptoms of abortion and
its complications.
 Timely referral to the appropriate formal health care
system.
 Counseling on unwanted pregnancy and safe
abortion service.

5. RTI/STI/HIV/AIDS

 Sexuality and gender education and
counseling.
 Condom Promotion and distribution.
 Counseling on safe sexual activity.
 Counseling / education on RTI/ STD /
HIV infection management and
treatment.

6. Infertility

 Prevention and treatment of infertility by
counseling and education.
 Refer to appropriate health facility for treatment
and management of infertility to both partners.
 counseling and education for prevention and
treatment of infertility

 Information on sexuality and gender information.
 Create awareness on risk factors of early marriage and
pregnancy.
 Conduct the programme of Family life education.
 Increasing awareness on FP method availability of
contraceptives, danger signs and risk factors of teenage
pregnancy.
 Adolescent health

8.Elderly RH problem

 Health promotion information (including information
on uterus prolapse and smoking prevention).
 Identification of RH problem related to reproductive
organs.
 Identification of different health institutions for their
treatment and management and referral.

RH SERVICE AT SUB-HEALTH POST
AND HEALTH POST LEVEL

1.Family planning
 Supervision and support to community activities.
 Providing oral contraceptives, condoms, Depo-
Provera.
 Providing IUD after screening for contraindication
(when applicable).
 Counseling / Management / referral for side effects,
change of methods where indicated.
 Counseling and referral for sterilization.
 Gradually expand choices of methods.
 IEC for Lactation amenorrhea method (LAM).

2. Safe Motherhood
 Four focused antenatal visits.
 Monitor BP, weight, FHR.
 IEC /counseling for danger signs during
pregnancy, delivery, postpartum for mother.
 Birth preparedness (delivery by SBA and
complication readiness with families).
 Detection and management of co-existing
conditions and obstetric first aid management.
 Detection and management and referrals of
maternal complications such as pre-eclampsia,
eclampsia, severe anemia, ante and postpartum
hemorrhage, heart disease, TB, diabetes.
 Iron folate supplementation.

 Treatment for night blindness.
 Tetanus toxiod immunization.
 Treatment for worms.
 Facilitated referrals to higher levels of care as
necessary.
 Clean and safe delivery (partograph, active
management of third stage of labour) by SBA.
 Initial management of shock, and facilitated referral.
 Suture vaginal tears.

 Three Postnatal visits for mother and baby.
 Detection postpartum complications of maternal
and obstetric first aid management and referrals
if necessary.
 BP, detection of hypertension, first aid
management and referrals for postpartum
eclampsia.
 Detection and management of (obstetric first aid)
of heavy postpartum bleeding with oxytocin and
referral if necessary.
 IEC/ counseling for postpartum danger signs for
mother
 Vitamin A for mother.

3. Newborn Care
 Immediate and exclusive breast feeding.
 Resuscitation and stabilization of newborn with
asphyxia using bag and mask hypothermia and sepsis.
 Identify, stabilize and manage premature / LBW
newborn with kangaroo mother care and refer if
necessary.
 Treatment of minor infections and referral after
stabilization for major infections in newborns.
 BCG immunization for newborn.
 Encourage for registration of neonatal birth and death
event.

4.Prevention and management of

 Prevention and management of abortion
complication
 Diagnosis of early pregnancy.
abortion service.
 Referral to nearest safe abortion service if required.
 Detection, management (obstetric first aid) of
spontaneous and induced abortion complications.
 Post abortion FP counseling and service.

5.RTI/STI/HIV/AIDS
 Syndrome detection, treatment and referral of RTI
/STD cases.
 Identification, treatment and referral (where
required) for vaginal discharge, lower abdominal
pain , genital ulcers in women, and urethral, genital
ulcers , swelling scrotum or groin in men as per
National RTI/STD guidelines.
 Partner notification and referral.
 Condom Promotion and distribution.
 IEC to preventive aspects.

6.Infertility

 counseling and education for prevention and
treatment of infertility

7.Adolescent health

 Free availability of oral pills condoms.
 Antenatal, delivery, postpartum, newborn care
services per MNH guidelines.
 Modification of existing MCH/FP service to make it
accessible to adolescent.
 Conduct family life education clinics
 School health programs.

on prevention uterus prolapse and avoidance of
smoking).
organs.

RH SERVICE AT PRIMARY
HEALTH CARE CENTRE LEVEL
1.Family planning

 In addition to service provided to services provided
by health post / sub- health level following are
performed;
 Performing tubal ligation, minilap and vasectomy.
 Semen analysis.
 All other contraceptive methods according to
government guidelines.
 Post abortion care management.
 Management of complications.

2. Safe Motherhood
conditions and Basic Essential Obstetric Care
(BEOC) service for complications with facilitated

 Universal treatment for worms.
 Hemoglobin estimation.
 Blood group typing including Rhesus.
 VDRL test
 Urine analysis (protein, sugar, and bacteria).
necessary.
 Monitor BP, FHR. Detection and management of
complications (BEOC service) with facilated referral
if necessary. Management of shock, and referral if
necessary

 Vacuum delivery.
 Suture vaginal tears rectal tears.
 Detection of complications of mother, BEOC service,
and referrals if necessary.
 BP, detection of hypertension, management and
referrals for postpartum eclampsia if necessary.
 Identification of puerperal sepsis and BEOC service
with referral if necessary.
 Detection and BEOC service for heavy postpartum
bleeding and referral if necessary.
mother

3. New born care
asphyxia using bag and mask hypothermia and
sepsis with referral if necessary.
necessary.
 Treatment of minor infections and referral after
stabilization for major infections in newborns.
 IEC/Counseling for danger signs for newborns.
death event.

4. Prevention and management
of abortion complication

abortion service.
 MVA (safe abortion procedure) if required.
 Referral to nearest safe abortion service if required.
 Detection, management of spontaneous and
induced abortion complications with antibiotics,
oxytocins, and MVA/D&C if necessary.
 Post- abortion detection and management of
complications with antibiotics, oxytocins and
MVA/D&C if necessary.

5. RTI/STI/HIV/AIDS

 Management of STD on syndromic approach basis
when diagnostic facilities are not available.
 Syndrome detection, treatment and referral of RTI
/STD cases.
 Management of RTI/STD
 Condom promotion and distribution.
 IEC on preventive measures.

6. Infertility

 Diagnosis, treatment and management of
infertility and referrals to tertiary care, if
necessary.


 FP/HIV/STD service modified and delivered as
package e.g., life education clinics in selected areas.
 Linkage with school systems and NGO.
 Publicity regarding family life clinics in selected
areas.
 FP service as per national guideline.

8. Elderly RH problem
on prevention uterus prolapse and avoidance of
smoking).
organs.

RH SERVICE AT DISTRICT
HOSPITAL LEVEL

1. Family planning
 In addition to service provided to services provided by
primary health centre level following are performed;
 Provision /expansion of VSC e.g., tubal ligation,
minilap and vasectomy including non scalpel method
 Provision of long acting contraceptive methods and
management of side effects.

2. Safe Motherhood

conditions and Basic Essential Obstetric Care
(BEOC) service for complications with facilitated

 Universal treatment for worms.
 Hemoglobin estimation.
 Blood group typing including Rhesus.
 VDRL test
 Urine analysis (protein, sugar, and bacteria).
 Stool test for ova and cyst.
necessary.
 Monitor BP, FHR.

 Detection and management of complications
(BEOC/CEOC service) with facilated referral if
necessary.
 Management of shock.
 Suture vaginal tears and rectal tears.
 Vacuum delivery.
 C-section
 Blood transfusion.
 Detection of complications of mother, BEOC/CEOC
service, and referrals if necessary.

 Identification and treatment of puerperal sepsis.
 Detection and treatment of mastitis.
 Detection and management of heavy
postpartum bleeding with oxytocin and blood
transfusion.
mother
 Detection and management of postpartum
eclampsia.

3. New born care
asphyxia using bag and mask hypothermia and
sepsis.
necessary.
 Treatment of minor and major infections in
newborns with referral if necessary.
 IEC/Counseling for danger signs for newborns.
death event.

management of abortion
complication
abortion service.
 MVA (safe abortion procedure) if required.
 Referral to nearest safe abortion service if
required.
 Detection, management of spontaneous and
induced abortion complications with antibiotics,
oxytocins, and MVA/D&C if necessary.
 Post- abortion detection and management of
complications with antibiotics, oxytocins and
MVA/D&C if necessary.

5.RTI/STI/HIV/AIDS

 Clinical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis and
treatment of RTI/STD.
 Diagnosis and treatment of RTI/STD, including
HIV/PMTCT in selected areas according to policy
guidelines.
 Condom promotion and distribution.
 IEC on preventive aspects above condition.

7.Adolescent health

 FP/HIV/STD service modified and delivered as
package e.g., life education clinics in selected areas.
 Linkage with school systems and NGO.
 Publicity regarding family life clinics in selected
areas.
 FP service as per national guideline.


on prevention of uterus prolapse and avoidance of
smoking).
organs and its treatment and management.

Reproductive Health: Nepal

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

Similar to Reproductive Health: Nepal (20)

More from Dr. Kishor Adhikari (9)

Reproductive Health: Nepal