Promoting Female Sexual and Reproductive Health among Young South Asian Women

Identifying the problem

Lack of sexual awareness

This inadequacy in the level of awareness that young south Asian women have exhibited is characterized by ignorance about their sexuality and the implications of the developments taking place in their bodies. Upon reaching puberty, changes such as broadening of their hips and the menstrual cycles are taken for granted and when discussed it is often under very hushed tones. The whole issue is then swept under the proverbial carpet as they let nature take its course. Their perceived short-term benefit of ignoring this is that they get to avoid the potentially awkward conversations that are likely to be experienced when they discuss such matters. The downside of this however is much more profound since majority of them also miss out on an opportunity to understand the implications of the bodily changes and functions they are experiencing. It is tantamount to getting a new car and driving it around with no information on how to maintain it or rectify mechanical problems that are bound to occur. In the same way, these young women live their lives ignorant of the potential diseases and health complications that they are bound to contract in the event that they engage in unsafe sex (Dhar et al, 2010).

Cultural Issues related to the lack of awareness

Many if not all south Asian traditional cultures frown upon the idea of discussing sexual matters. Menstruation for instance is largely considered as an impure affair thus making its discussion a taboo (Roberts, 2008). Perhaps the mentality behind this is to preserve modesty since it will also be unwise to lay all and sundry in the open. At the same time, these cultural practices continue to be propagated despite the increasing rate of sexually transmitted diseases as well as health complications attributed to reproductive health. The main idea that seems to be the modus operandi is for a young woman to catch up with information about her sexuality once she is married. This obviously contravenes the principle of ‘prevention is better than cure’ since a person armed with information on her sexuality will be more alert and thus in a position to protect herself behaviourally, through protection or seeking timely medical advice in the event that there is need. The challenge attributed to culture is a strong force to reckon with since it is the earliest form of socialization that a child is exposed to both at home, in school and in society as well (UNESCO, 2012).

RATIONALE, JUSTIFICATION AND HYPOTHESIS

Encouraging women’s access to reproductive and sexual health information and advice

Since the main challenge is attributed to widespread levels of ignorance on reproductive health among the young women who are the subject of this study, it is imperative that measures be taken to ensure they are exposed to this information so that they can internalize it and thus turn the tables on the negative impact that is attributed to the lack of knowledge. This can be done by employing the different forms of communication that can be sued to reach them. This means face to face interactions, radio programs, television, the internet as well as pamphlets.

The Health belief model is a representation of the different psychological models and how they can be employed in predicting an individual or group’s attitudes and behaviours towards their own health. This will be instrumental in pin-pointing the exact areas that need intervention and the degree to which the said intervention will be applied (Rosenstock et al, 1988).

Increased perceived susceptibility is another area of concern that needs to be urgently addressed. This perception can be attributed mainly to globalization that has made access to foreign cultures much simpler through advancements in communication and travel. This means that these young women may pick up sexual behaviours at a much earlier age from the internet as well as from international travellers who engage in sex tourism. Prostitution by children and young adults is also on the increase and this automatically increases the belief that these young women are more exposed today. This point also explains the decrease in barriers that existed in the past (Kerrigan et al, 2008).

Community involvement is crucial if the issue of female sexual and reproductive health is to be tackled in a holistic manner (Regmi et al, 2008). The parents or health workers alone and guardians cannot be burdened by this responsibility. The duty needs to be well spread out among parties that are influential to these young women and they include older siblings, school teachers and also religious leaders.

A multi-disciplinary approach will aid in elaborating the key elements of sexual and reproductive health in an understandable manner. In school, teachers can help by explaining the biological aspect. Behaviour can be handled by the parents and religious leaders while the issue of associated diseases can be best dealt with by doctors.
Environmental variables contribute greatly to one’s awareness and exposure to issues of sexuality and reproductive health. These young women do not live in a vacuum but rather in a dynamic environment where they are at risk of being exposed to misleading information as well as infections. For this reason, it is crucial that their immediate home, school and social environment are considered prior to any intervention measures.

The precede-proceed framework is a tool that health workers can use to adequately plan and implement their intervention initiatives since it prescribes for them a systematic process of working (Green and Kreuter, 1992).

References

Dhar, J., Griffiths, C. A., Cassell, J. A., Sutcliffe, L., Brook, G. M., & Mercer, C. H. 2010. How and why do South Asians attend GUM clinics? Evidence from contrasting GUM clinics across England. Sexually transmitted infections, 86(5), 366-370.

Green, L. W., & Kreuter, M. W. 1992. CDC’s planned approach to community health as an application of PRECEED and an inspiration for PROCEED. Journal of Health Education, 23(3), 140-147.

Kerrigan, D., Telles, P., Torres, H., Overs, C., & Castle, C. 2008. Community development and HIV/STI-related vulnerability among female sex workers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Health education research, 23(1), 137-145.

Regmi, P., Simkhada, P., & van Teijlingen, E. 2008. Sexual and reproductive health status among young peoples in Nepal: opportunities and barriers for sexual health education and services utilization. Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 6(2 (Iss), 1-5.

Roberts, J. H., Sanders, T., & Wass, V. 2008. Students’ perceptions of race, ethnicity and culture at two UK medical schools: a qualitative study. Medical education, 42(1), 45-52.

Rosenstock, I. M., Strecher, V. J., & Becker, M. H. 1988. Social learning theory and the health belief model. Health Education & Behavior, 15(2), 175-183.

UNESCO, 2012.South Asian countries and cultures