Sexual Health: An International Perspective

This article discusses the importance of promoting sexual health internationally and the challenges faced in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. It also delves into the harmful tradition of female genital cutting and the need for research and policy to end it. Strategies for promoting sexual health and ending harmful traditions are also discussed.

SEXUAL HEALTH-INTERNATIONAL
PERSPECTIVE

Table of Content.
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Sexual health is a state of social, mental or physical empowerment on basis of there sex,
it doesn't mean that there is absence of any ailment or discomfort(acc. to WHO). Health is a
state of gross well being, when free from any ailment. So now let us understand what is sexual or
sexuality is a aggregated component of men and women depending about their individual needs.
It is important to be promoted in public as to aware people about the importance of maintaining
or controlling sexual health is as important than maintaining mental or physical health. To
prevent the sexual violence or abuse based on gender, aware people to be shield themselves
multiple partners as it can increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV or AIDS.
Challenges faced internationally are early pregnancy, difficulties in breezing for contraceptives
or the early abortions, fear of shame or embarrassment, any many more. Cultural
beliefs,practices relay the perception on sexuality like early marriage or pregnancy affect the
health like a female genital cutting (FGC) is a cultural program practise for the removal of
female genital parts externally(Luk, and et. al., 2017).
BACKGROUND
Sexual health promotion is the process of providing awareness around society or
population to focus on controlling their sexual health according to their needs. These consist of
strategies used to safe public sexual health. It is an important part of mental and physical health
as it needed to centre on sexual relationship and need. It is done to reduce the risk of sexually
transmitted disease, HIV or basically safe women from unwanted pregnancy. Promotion is done
to make people understand about biological or sociological changes occurring according to
developing age. Strategies used are providing counselling or education related to sex
education,bunch of motivational or nukkad act by peer groups to explain the importance to
public are done(Rostosky,and et. al., 2008). These promotions are very much need to reduce the
risk related to sexual health. These are also done through campaigns like encouraging use of
condoms and make it available feasibly to the population. Good sexual health has its important
both individually or to community to as it promotes good sexual behaviour. It keeps oestrogen
and testosterone level in equipoise. Good sexual health gives you the confidence to be more
vocal or discuss with consulting team or doctor. People need to be aware that genital health is
very much important for a healthy lifestyle(Meschke, Bartholomae and Zentall, 2000).
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Sexual health promotion is a process by which individual acquired ability to control and
improve sexual health. Promotion of Sexual health increases sexual and emotional well-being
that reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies. People
faces various challenges related to sexual health including human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),
unintended pregnancies, sexual dysfunction, sexually transmitted infection, cancer in
reproductive tract and viral hepatitis these serious diseases among the population affected most
of adults, rural people and teenagers(Smith, 2017). Health issue raised related to sexual health
has been increases due to high poverty, lack of low education in rural areas and racism can make
it difficult to individuals and communities to protect their sexual health. Sexual health is public
issues because of social and economic impact, embarrassment and reproductive issues making
difficult for women to discuss about their diseases, creating barriers to women for their accessing
care they need. Sexual and healthcare includes preventing and treating sexually transmitted
diseases(STD), auto immune deficiency (AIDs), preventing unplanned and high risk
pregnancies, providing care to pregnant women and their child. Reproductive health provider is a
platform that helps especially to the ruler and uneducated women to provide sufficient
knowledge, safety to go through pregnancy and childbirth, avoid unintended pregnancies. Men
and women both should be informed about to have safe, affordable and effective methods for
family planning of their choice(Mayer, Garofalo, and Makadon, 2014).
MAIN BODY
Core learning from promoting sexual health is through this certain campaigns has begin
like namely 'Healthy Sexual' whose aim is to create awareness for good sexual health and
practices that need to be practise to prevent,test, or treat the impacts of STIs in body or mental
state to. Discussing about the STIs is rare nowadays as people feel embraced or ashamed of
discussing about their sexual discomfort or health related issues. Since STIs are very common
and if they remain untreated or tested for longer period,then it may lead to long term effect on
health as it may cause pelvic inflammatory disorder, infertility or birth defects to the infants.
Poor public health can also leads to shorter life expand, or higher death rates. Good sexual
health is needed to deliver a healthy baby, also needed to protect mother and daughter both
simultaneously. More awareness while motivating for practising safer sex(Houtrow, and et.
al.,2021).
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Female genital cutting or circumcision is a cultural activity or it a practise followed on
the cultural or religion belief in several socialites. It is a social practise which is usually practise
in whole community where the this particular tradition is passed from generation to generation.
This is a practise followed to dominate the needs of girls sexual desire until the daughter is not
ready for the marriage so that the off springs don't perform sexual act without the permission of
parents or completing certain age limit. This practise is also performed to secure the virginity of
women before their marriage or it can be said to start prepare them for the new marriage
journey. In that particular community or religion it is considered, women or girls those who
remain uncut their genitals will be considered not suitable for the purpose of marriage, they
might have performed the act before the marriage. In certain areas it has been misprision that the
uncut women/girls are not eligible for marriage, they might have fertility issue, they will not be
able to produce a progeny, they are not lucky for the family. Female genital cutting is not at all
beneficial to women body as it has no health benefits, this can also lead to severe bleeding or
cyst formation in body can also cause the complications for new pregnancy or early deaths of
infants(Duncan, 2007).
This practise is usually performed in small girls around age of 5 to their adolescence
period. It is basically the violation of human rights. Short term complication for the practise
include severe pain, genital tissue injury,and many more. Long terms complications are pain
during intercourse,bacterial infections,etc. The populations practise these act to secure the safety
of their generations as its there misconsemption that while performing the act their daughters will
be free from early pregnancy or they can reduce their sexual desires to. Strategies used to reduce
incidence of FGC are while educating these communities that the practice has no benefit, but
speak about the risk it can lead to body. Prevention for the FGC is done through educating or
doing public promotion campaigns for the affected women through this program, to form welfare
programs for the safety and medical support to these girls. To educate girls about their right
right, no once can follow practise without their permission. Mainly training sessions are provides
to health care workers so that they can counsel these girls and abandon practise is need to
charged in that area. Special care is provided to one who has been experienced this practise and
to abandon the practise health care workers need to motivate or educate the senior generation of
the family(Dadich, and et. al., 2017).
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Research on FGM has generated data covering wide range of topics addressing the
knowledge regarding prevalence rates of practice, what drives the practice, and also determine
the scope of future research on same. Research allows to explore new possibilities and
modifications to improve sexual health and social outcomes. So the report will include the
knowledge essential for FGM practice and clear demonstration of the topic on interest for
advocacy and policy making. Before initiating the research-based study, it is ethically important
and legally fair to take consent of the community of interest and some advantages associated are,
it develop mutual understanding between the community and research team which make the
community comfortable and they will be able to talk freely about their experiences. The research
team is able to understand the structure, dynamics and culture of the community via community
stakeholders. The active engagement of community leaders and their support during the research
give social support to community members and make them more cooperative behaviour towards
the achievement of research findings.
The CIOMS (Council For International Organisation of Medical Sciences) recommends
the benefits of research is that it contributes to the health improvisation and well-being of the
survivors go through FGM (Gerry QC and et. al., 2020). It generates a possibility to develop
more effective interventions in order to reduce the incidence of FGM. Whenever any research is
being conducted , it is essential to identify and do proper assessment of the benefits an risks
associated to the task. Considering the sensitivity of FGM, the privacy of research participants
should be respected, they should not be forced to disclose the information above the level of
comfortability and they are legally free to withdraw from research study whenever they wish to
and no authority can force them for further participation. Informed consent is the best way to
take to participant's consent regarding the research. It is usually given in written by participants
and signed and dated by themselves only after understanding the consent completely and then to
make agreement. For the participants who are unable to read or understand the written language,
verbal consents are made and it is much appropriate to record the oral consents to avoid any
confusions in future. Researchers should give explanation of potential benefits to participants
they able to gain from the research and should ensure them that the confidentiality and privacy
will be maintained (Home and et. al., 2020).
The design and methodology adopted for appropriate study are based on the questions of
research related to the topic. Before initiating a research, it is required to collect quantitative and
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qualitative data where quantitative data is to ensure that the results should represent the
population of interest and qualitative data is to provide the population safe space to talk freely
about their experiences. For exploring the social response relating to FGM, research participants
are explained the specific scenarios. Experimental studies provide benefits to a great extent as it
enable researchers to identify the effective interventions and medications . And researchers are
able to study the impact, like benefits and risks between the control individuals and communities.
Quasi-experimental studies based on practical approach can be useful to m,measure the pre- and
post- results of the experiment. This approach prove to be very useful where scientific designs
might not be ethical. Implementation research majorly concern with the effectiveness of
intervention and focus on how the effectiveness can be scale up for the population of interest.
While communication engagement is also equally important to assess the health needs and
priorities of population (Kandala and Komba., 2018).
The legal status of FGM is complex and controversial. Legal status impacts the concept,
methodology and justification of research. It is believed that FGM violates principle of human
rights. It violates the right of life when the FGM procedure results in loss of life, right to freedom
affected due to inhuman treatment. FGM seems to reflect sex-discriminating behaviour and
deep-rooted inequality against women and girls. FGM violates the right to health in context of
sexual and reproductive health mainly. It rises up the danger of morbidity and mortality and also
increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. This practice is an clear
injustice with child and their rights, as this practice is generally carried out on minors. FGM
practice is not legal in all countries. The World Bank Organisation based on the legal framework
of FGM defines the laws for prohibition of FGM. Many organisations have join their hands and
come together to eliminate the FGM practices from different parts of the country (Moody.,2020).
UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme is a example of that. National governments, religious
leaders, medical professionals, civil society, the youth and other key stakeholders are working in
partnership currently in 17 countries to accelerate the rejection of FGM. The goal of the Joint
Programme is to support and accelerate the laws already being undertaken against the practice at
the regional and national levels.
The countries which have imposed the restricted laws on this practice consider this issue
to fall under a definition of violence or discrimination. There are many disputes behind the
consideration of legal and illegal aspects. In order to collect information from the participants
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belongs to the countries where FGM are supposed to be illegal, the researchers ask them to
disclose illegal activities . This has express in terms of, the capability of participants to go for it
and to give right information based on their personal experience (Nabaneh and Muula, 2019).
This also implied research team members the intention behind the interrogation and the steps
taken by them after collecting the information. The implications ensuring confidentiality of the
participants who are sharing information regarding illegal activity taken by them.
To end this harmful tradition in many countries , it is important to take some steps to save
girls and women from this cultural activity. It involves, By challenging the discriminatory
reasons, By promoting the change in ideology behind the tradition with the support of older
generations, By educating the girls and engage in knowledge to know their rights about their
health and right to decide what happens to their body, By raising voice and make people
understand regarding the risks and dangers associated with the practice and acknowledge them
about the harmful results they might face, Spread understanding within the population that no
religious belief demands for FGM, By tackling the secrecy and monitoring if the tradition is
continued to be practice, Keep standing against the FGM activity and enhance the efforts for the
complete banning of FGM (Plaisime and et. al., 2020). To put an end to FGM it require to create
and implement policies and laws that protect the rights of women and girl. It includes,
Legislation criminalizing FGM, UNICEF supports the implementation of legislation on FGM,
for the sake of health-care, provide justice and spread awareness for social welfare.
UNICEF provides technical support to the government and supportive regional leaders to
implement costed action plans to outline strategies to eliminate the FGM practice. Government
and supportive organisation promote access to education to ensure that they would be able to
know their rights and adopt for better livelihood opportunities. Organisations give girls access to
expand their support networks and stand as a leader in advocating the rules to eliminate the
FGM. FGM banning is proved to be an effective strategy to provoke girls and women to stand
for their rights and influence them to play their vital roles in direction to bring the change in
society and ideology of people practising the culture (Robinson and et. al., 2022). Girls education
plays a marvellous role in bringing the change and preventing FGM practice associated with the
marriageability for social inclusion. Adolescent clubs are made by community settings provide
the girls training and opportunities to develop their leadership skills and understand the power of
strength. The active participation to the group and ability, courage to stand against FGM, provide
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them experience and boost up the confidence to hold their community and expand the group.
UNICEF supports a community-led process that provoke individual about harmful gender and
social norms via educational sessions. Once community members understand the harms and risks
and motive behind the steps taken by the organisation , they are ready to adopt the changes and
adopt new social norms. After declaration of abandonment of FGM is made by public, the
organisations working for child-protection keep eyes on on regional members and keep tracking
the girls at risk. Positive parenting also have a great impact on counter gender-related harmful
practices. UNICEF promotes the activity of gender-responsive parenting by mass media
intervention, engagement of community strength and practices. Positive parenting is helpful in
actively monitor the lives of girls at risk of undergoing FGM (Robinson and et. al., 2022).
CONCLUSION
From the above studies, it is concluded that reproductive health refers to as state of
physical, mental and social well-being. There are various issues raised related to sexual health
issues such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immune deficiency(HIV),
unintended pregnancies, virus hepatitis and cancer in reproductive tract these issues are occurred
due to lack of insufficient knowledge about sexual health, high rate of poverty and unprotected
intercourse with a partner may cause issues related to sexual health. Successful elements of
successful health promotion are education that help in reducing unintended pregnancies and save
the life of women, provide affordable, high quality sexual health education especially needed in
rural areas. Female genital cutting(FGC) is a process of removing genital parts of women to
secure their sexual desire or save them from unwanted pregnancies, these practices are followed
in certain communities and religions as they misconcepted, removal of reproductive parts will
save them from embracement or same but this practice has no benefits it harms human health as
it can lead to breakage in female genital tissues, also it cause severe pain and bleeding which
make women weak. Certain campaigns have started to stop FGC practice like use of condoms,
prevention and testing of STIs, counselling of experienced women due to this act.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Dadich, A., Hosseinzadeh, H., Abbott, P., Reath, J., Hu, W., Usherwood, T., Kang, M. and
Murray, C., 2012. Promoting sexual healthcare within General Practice.
Duncan, I., 2007. Promoting Young People’s Sexual Health: International Perspectives, Roger
Ingham and Peter Aggleton (eds), London, Routledge, 2006, pp. 235, ISBN
00415374839,£ 20.99.
Houtrow, A., Elias, E.R., Davis, B.E., Kuo, D.Z., Agrawal, R., Davidson, L.F., Ellerbeck, K.A.,
Foster, J.E., Fremion, E., O’Connor Leppert, M. and Saunders, B.S., 2021. Promoting
healthy sexuality for children and adolescents with disabilities. Pediatrics, 148(1).
Luk, J.W., Gilman, S.E., Haynie, D.L. and Simons-Morton, B.G., 2017. Sexual orientation
differences in adolescent health care access and health-promoting physician
advice. Journal of Adolescent Health, 61(5), pp.555-561.
Mayer, K.H., Garofalo, R. and Makadon, H.J., 2014. Promoting the successful development of
sexual and gender minority youths. American journal of public health, 104(6), pp.976-
981.
Meschke, L.L., Bartholomae, S. and Zentall, S.R., 2000. Adolescent sexuality and parent‐
adolescent processes: promoting healthy teen choices. Family Relations, 49(2), pp.143-
154.
Rostosky, S.S., Dekhtyar, O., Cupp, P.K. and Anderman, E.M., 2008. " Sexual self-concept and
sexual self-efficacy in adolescents: A possible clue to promoting sexual health?":
Erratum.
Smith, R.L., 2017. 11 Promoting adolescent sexual health: enhancing professional
knowledge. Evidence-based Child Health Care: Challenges for Practice, p.185.
Dadich, A., Hosseinzadeh, H., Abbott, P., Reath, J., Hu, W., Usherwood, T., Kang, M. and
Murray, C., 2012. Promoting sexual healthcare within General Practice.
Duncan, I., 2007. Promoting Young People’s Sexual Health: International Perspectives, Roger
Ingham and Peter Aggleton (eds), London, Routledge, 2006, pp. 235, ISBN
00415374839,£ 20.99.
Gerry QC, F.R., Proudman, C., Rowland, A.G., Home, J. and Walton, K., 2020. Why it is time
for an FGM Commissioner–practical responses to feminised issues. Family Law Journal,
(2020), pp.1317-1327.
Home, J., Rowland, A., Gerry, F., Proudman, C. and Walton, K., 2020. A review of the law
surrounding female genital mutilation protection orders. British Journal of
Midwifery, 28(7), pp.418-429.
Houtrow, A., Elias, E.R., Davis, B.E., Kuo, D.Z., Agrawal, R., Davidson, L.F., Ellerbeck, K.A.,
Foster, J.E., Fremion, E., O’Connor Leppert, M. and Saunders, B.S., 2021. Promoting
healthy sexuality for children and adolescents with disabilities. Pediatrics, 148(1).
Kandala, N.B. and Komba, P.N., 2018. Analysis of International and Regional Legal Regime
Applicable to FGM Victims. In Female Genital Mutilation around The World: (pp. 189-
195). Springer, Cham.
Luk, J.W., Gilman, S.E., Haynie, D.L. and Simons-Morton, B.G., 2017. Sexual orientation
differences in adolescent health care access and health-promoting physician
advice. Journal of Adolescent Health, 61(5), pp.555-561.
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Mayer, K.H., Garofalo, R. and Makadon, H.J., 2014. Promoting the successful development of
sexual and gender minority youths. American journal of public health, 104(6), pp.976-
981.
Meschke, L.L., Bartholomae, S. and Zentall, S.R., 2000. Adolescent sexuality and parent‐
adolescent processes: promoting healthy teen choices. Family Relations, 49(2), pp.143-
154.
Moody, R.K., 2020. Women human rights defender’s fight against female genital mutilation and
child marriages in Africa. Cities & Health, pp.1-6.
Nabaneh, S. and Muula, A.S., 2019. Female genital mutilation/cutting in Africa: A complex legal
and ethical landscape. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 145(2), pp.253-
257.
Plaisime, M., Robertson-James, C., Mejia, L., Núñez, A., Wolf, J. and Reels, S., 2020. Social
media and teens: a needs assessment exploring the potential role of social media in
promoting health. Social Media+ Society, 6(1), p.2056305119886025.
Robinson, R., Ojajuni, O.P., Owolabi, I.O., Olunuga, O. and Oni, E.I., 2022. Assessing the
Knowledge and Intention towards the Continuation of FGM Practice among Young Girls
in South West Nigeria. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 10(4), pp.271-283.
Rostosky, S.S., Dekhtyar, O., Cupp, P.K. and Anderman, E.M., 2008. " Sexual self-concept and
sexual self-efficacy in adolescents: A possible clue to promoting sexual health?":
Erratum.
Scull, T., Malik, C., Morrison, A. and Keefe, E., 2021. Promoting sexual health in high school: A
feasibility study of a web-based media literacy education program. Journal of health
communication, 26(3), pp.147-160.
Smith, R.L., 2017. 11 Promoting adolescent sexual health: enhancing professional
knowledge. Evidence-based Child Health Care: Challenges for Practice, p.185.
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