Introduction
One-fifth of global disease among women of reproductive age is associated with sexual and reproductive ill-health. Likewise HIV and AIDS indirectly accounts for many maternal deaths, and is the direct cause of death of countless individuals and their family members. Despite these linkages, resistance and limited funding, as well as lack of harmonisation between policy and programming, mean that approaches to HIV and AIDS, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) continue to be predominantly separate. This guide provides summaries and research on the key issues in SRH as it relates to HIV and AIDS, including an overview of definitions and linkages, relevant international targets and approaches to integration.
Reproductive Health as defined in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (http://www.iisd.ca/Cairo/program/p00000.html) is a ‘state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its function and processes'. It should enhance the individual’s ‘right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of one’s children, and the right to a satisfying and safe sex life’. Reproductive health takes into account notions of rights, equity, dignity and responsibility in relationships. Reproductive health includes sexual health, the purpose of which is ‘the enhancement of life and personal relations, not merely counselling and care related to reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases'.
Reproductive Health as defined in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (http://www.iisd.ca/Cairo/program/p00000.html) is a ‘state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its function and processes'. It should enhance the individual’s ‘right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of one’s children, and the right to a satisfying and safe sex life’. Reproductive health takes into account notions of rights, equity, dignity and responsibility in relationships. Reproductive health includes sexual health, the purpose of which is ‘the enhancement of life and personal relations, not merely counselling and care related to reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases'.
