Reproductive health implies that people have the capability to reproduce,

regulate their fertility and to practice and enjoy sexual relationships apart from the

absence of disease or infirmity (Fathalia, 1988). A broader concept of “reproductive

health” offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to the health needs in relation

to reproduction.

The Cairo definition of reproductive health is long and includes sexual health.

Inter alia, the HIV pandemic, increasing global rates of sexually transmitted infections

and the growing recognition of the public health importance of issues such as violence

against women and girls are later results on giving emphasis on sexual health as a

separate public health issue. (Glassier et. al., 2006) In addition, unsafe sex was

identified by the World Health Organization as the second most important risk factor for

disease, disability, or death in the poorest communities and the ninth in developed

countries.

In function, dysfunction and disease, the reproductive system plays a central role

in a women’s health while in men, they have a different case. It is a major burden in

females to possess a disease related to their reproductive function and reproductive

system (Fathalla, 1997).

Impoverished women suffer disproportionately from unintended pregnancies,

unsafe abortion, maternal death and disability, sexually transmitted infections (STIs),

gender-based violence, and other related problems. The leading cause of death for

women of childbearing is reproductive health problems that age worldwide. Family

planning, maternal health care and HIV prevention are some services that some women
still have no access to. Every year there are 287, 000 women that dies from

complications during pregnancy or childbirth and more than 225 million women wants to

avoid pregnancy but are not using modern contraception (US Aid, From the American

People).

Reproductive health is one issue that needs attention in our country. The ones

responsible for one third of health issues for women between the ages of 15 and 44 is

sexual and reproductive health. In a developing country, like the Philippines, unsafe sex

is a huge risk factor especially for women. (PCHRD, 2008)

According to Medical Center Manila, reproductive health means ensuring that a

woman achieves a state of mental, physical, and social well-being during all stages of

her reproductive life. According to United Nations, some 114 Filipino mothers die for

every 100,000 live births. These deaths occur due to complications related to pregnancy

and giving birth.

CNN Philippines reported that a number of programs aim for the maintenance of

reproductive health in the Philippines. Ads on televisions about programs promoting

safe sexual habits and awareness about various sexually transmitted diseases are

some efforts of the Filipino government and NGOs to achieve a reproductively healthy

society. However, 28 percent in a population of 104 million, one in four pregnancies in

this country is unwanted. Unintended pregnancies may lead to maternal or prenatal

deaths and unsafe abortions. Almost two out of three Filipinas prevented to use any

form of birth control and one in four women gets pregnant within a year because they

prefer using traditional over modern contraception. Klaus Beck said that 78 percent
among the females who had their first sexual encounter is unprotected. Unfounded fear

of side effects, opposition from religious groups, lack of knowledge, and lightly taking

the risk of pregnancy are some reasons for some who does not choose modern

contraception that the World Health Organization cited. Medical facilities must be

provided to help deal with problems like infertility, STDs, and other reproductive

problems. However, there are still some practices that are related to reproduction that is

still prevalent in our society.

The Commission on Population XI stated that 44 percent of female youth from

Davao Region have experienced sexual intercourse. The percentage of those who

engaged in pre-marital sex increased from 15 percent in 2002 to 38 percent. In addition,

2 percent of female youth aged 15-24 have had sex before age 15 and 30 percent in the

18-24 age brackets have had sex before the age. Females had their sexual debut at the

age of 19 in 1994, but it has become younger today at the age of 17. The region of

Davao also placed as the third highest in the number of youth who engage in pre-

marital sex in 2013 with 38.5 percent or 370, 000, a figure higher by 15. 3 point from

23.2 percent in 2002. Moreover, 8 in 10 or 295, 000, participated in their first pre-marital

sex encounter without any form of protection against sexually transmitted infections

(STIs) or unwanted pregnancy (Clerigo, 2016).

Men are being encouraged by the city’s health officers in openness to adapt to

family planning methods and other reproductive health issues. Officer-in-charge of the

Population Division of the City Health Office (CHO), Jeff Fuentes, said that in a male

dominated society, a man’s openness in participating in sexual and reproductive issues

is a great factor in the improvement of the situation of women’s reproductive areas

(Saligumba, 2014).

Department of Health distributed condoms to high school students to clarify that

they are not promoting pre-marital sex or any form immoralities. Davao region ranks fifth

in the highest number of HIV cases nationwide. Davao Region had 475 cases of HIV-

Aids that was recorder by the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center from January

to October 2016 (Revita, 2016).

Fathalla, M. (1988). Issues in Reproductive Health

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/issues.htm

Glasier, A., Gulmezoglu A. M., Schmid, G., Moreno, C.G., Van, P.F. (2006). Sexual and

Reproductive Health: A Matter of Life and Death: World Health Organization

http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/general/lancet_1.pdf

Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. (2008). Top Women’s Health

Issues You Need to Know

http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/library-health-news/5282-top-women-s-

health-issues-you-need-to-know-about

CNN Philippines. (2016). UN, WHO: Reproductive Health in the Philippines lags Behind

ASEAN Neighbors

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/03/05/un-who-reproductive-health-philippines-

lagging-asean.html

Medical Center Manila. (n.d.). Family Planning and Reproductive Health: What You

Need to Know

http://manilamed.com.ph/family-planning-reproductive-health-need-know/

Saligumba, J. R., (2014). Davao health office encourage men to participate in family

planning procedure
http://davaotoday.com/main/economy/health/davao-health-office-encourage-men-

participate-family-planning-procedures/

Clerigo, E. M. (2106). Davao Region ranks 5th in teen pregnancy rate

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/children/davao-region-ranks-5th-in-teen-

pregnancy-rate/

Revita, J. (2016). Health department: Unprotected sex a major concern

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/12/20/health-department-
unprotected-sex-major-concern-516249