International Conference On Population And Development Research Articles

ICPD at 30 - What African countries need to do better.

In September 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), that gave birth to the doctrine of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), was held in Cairo, Egypt1. This year is the 30th year following the conference. Given that a total of 179 governments attended the ICPD and agreed to the Platform for Action for promoting and improving sexual and reproductive health and rights, it is appropriate to take stock of changes, expectations, and commitments that have occurred as a result of actions taken by governments. The 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development will be held in April 2024 and will be dedicated to assessing the status of sexual and reproductive health and rights 30 years after Cairo. Additional post-30years events will take place in Geneva, Switzerland in October 19-20, 2024 which are intended to enable the global community to take a look backwards identify ways in which the ICPD processes have influenced global development.

PARADIGM SHIFTS IN SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: UNRAVELING SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANTS IMPACTING MARRIED WOMEN IN INDIA

This comprehensive review paper explores the intricate connections between socio-cultural determinants and the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of married women in India. Drawing insights from an extensive array of literature, reports, and articles identified through targeted keyword searches in leading databases such as Academia, Jstor, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed, this paper encapsulates the trajectory of SRH discourse from the years 1985 to 2022. Over the last three decades, particularly post the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994, the narrative on SRH has evolved from a narrow focus on disease to a more extensive paradigm encompassing biomedical and socio-cultural elements. Emphasizing the crucial role of gender equality, socially constructed gender roles, cultural and sub-cultural norms, and the recognition of reproductive health as a fundamental right, the analysis draws from authoritative sources like the World Health Organization (WHO), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), and National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) data from 2015-16. The findings underscore the intricate interrelationship between social relations and gender roles, emphasizing their profound impact on women's reproductive health. Advocating for a paradigm shift from a woman-centric approach to a more inclusive gender equality approach, this review paper recommends interdisciplinary policies. These recommendations are aimed at enhancing reproductive health outcomes for women, concurrently elevating the overall quality of life in developing countries, with a particular focus on the context of India.

How 21st Century Population Issues and Policies Differ from Those of the 20th Century

Population issues and population policies have evolved considerably between the 20th and the 21st centuries. In the 1970s, most countries confronted rapid population growth, and this situation was particularly severe in Asia. Today, on the contrary, more than half of the world population is experiencing low fertility and population aging, and several countries with very low fertility are facing the prospect of depopulation. Only one region, i.e., sub-Saharan Africa, still experiences high fertility levels. Similarly, the discussions about whether and how to intervene on population trends have also evolved over the past 70 years. Demographically focused approaches to family planning provision were dominant views in the second half of the 20th century. However, since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994, international population policy paradigms have been reframed to stress the freedom of couples and the reproductive rights of individuals. Consequently, policy interventions have favored client-focused and gender-sensitive approaches. Finally, to help chart the way forward, population policies will need to consider several key elements, broadening from a focus on support for family planning to an array of policy instruments including health, education, and culture, all of which shape future populations. This new policy framework includes the prioritization of interventions, policy consensus building, the selection of priority constituencies, the institutionalization and funding of policies, and the promotion of evidence-based and research-driven policies. In addition, in order to adapt their interventions to local contexts, population policies will need to be holistic, to promote integrated interventions, and to align with international development frameworks.

Strategies for promoting male partner involvement in maternal, newborn and child health care in Kiambu County.

the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) recommended that men should share responsibility and be actively involved in sexual and reproductive health. The level of male partner involvement in Kenya remains low despite growing evidence showing its benefits in maternal and newborn health. This study sought to explore strategies for encouraging male partners to accompany their spouses to Maternal and Child Health (MCH) department. a qualitative exploratory study was used to gather the views of nurse-midwives and invited men on mechanisms to encourage men to accompany their spouses to MCH clinic. Three and two focused group discussions (FGDs) composed of six to eight participants from nurse-midwives and men were conducted respectively. The FGDs were audio recorded and lasted 60-90 minutes. Content analysis was used to generate themes using MAXQDA 2022 software. seven categories emerged as strategies that can encourage male partner participation in the Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) services: creating community awareness and sensitization, engaging men in the MCH department, reducing waiting time, provision of health services that address male health needs, inviting male partners to the MCH clinic, encouraging MCH staff to be receptive to couples and re-scheduling of MCH working days as well as extension of hours. evidence-based strategies that adopts multi-level interventions with greater focus on community sensitization and re-organization of the MCH services are important in encouraging men accompany their spouses to clinic and actively participate in the MNCH.

Barriers to male partner accompaniment and participation in maternal and child health care in Thika and Kiambu Level Five Hospital, Kenya.

the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) recommended that men should share responsibility and be actively involved in responsible parenthood, sexual and reproductive health. The level of male involvement in Kenya remains low despite growing evidence showing its benefits in maternal and newborn health. This study sought to determine factors influencing male partner involvement in maternal and child health with focus on accompaniment to maternal and child health (MCH) department. a qualitative study utilizing exploratory design was used to gather the views of men and nurse-midwives working in the MCH department of Thika and Kiambu County Teaching and Referral hospitals in January 2022. Qualitative data were collected from focused group discussions from nurses and men respectively. The number of participants per Focused Group Discussion (FGD) ranged between six to eight. The principal author moderated the FGD that were audio recorded and lasted between 60-90 minutes. Content analysis was used to analyse data following the five steps to yield themes using MAXQDA 2022 software. five categories emerged as factors influencing male accompanying their spouses to MCH clinic: traditional gender norms, roles and beliefs, unfavorable MCH environment, work commitment, fear of HIV testing and men's work commitment. traditional gender roles and norms, work commitment by men and unfavourable MCH set-up were key barriers identified that hinder men from accompanying their spouses to MCH clinic. There is need to develop an effective, feasible and sustainable intervention that will encourage male partners to accompany their spouses and participate in MCH services.

The Structural and Social Determinants of Reproductive Behavioural Health

Reproductive health plays a crucial role to maintain a healthy status of an individual. Hence, it is a vital part that an individual has to keep in mind. The term “Reproductive Rights and Reproductive History” was coined in the “International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)” held in 1994, and the term “Reproductive Health” was connoted as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes”. Collected detailed on reproductive behaviour of an individual now known as “Reproductive history”; is defined as “An important aggregate factor in epidemiological studies of women’s health. The concept usually includes the number and timing of pregnancies and their outcomes, the incidence of breast feeding, and may include age of menarche and menopause, regularity of menstruation, fertility, gynaecological or obstetric problems, or contraceptive usage.” Researchers, epidemiologists, along with medical personnel have chronicled their findings and voiced their concerns in maternal and reproductive health in various platforms at national and international levels. Some of these papers are focused on this topic. In the present discussion an attempt has been made to evaluate the role of structural and social determinants on reproductive health. The systematic analysis might help to pinpoint the populations that seem to be lacking in awareness of the importance of this vital but often ignored part of health and thus there is a lag in the reproductive health services.

Midwife, Counseling And Adolescent Reproductive Health Rights In The Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: Cases related to adolescent health have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Midwives have a very important role in conducting counseling related to adolescent health. This is a form of commitment in fulfilling the right to health of adolescents. The role of the midwife is stated in terms of reproductive health in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 28 of 2017 concerning Permits and Implementation of Midwifery Practices article 21a. The purpose of this research is to know the role of midwives in the implementation of adolescent counseling as the fulfillment of adolescent reproductive health rights.Methods: Qualitative research methods, with a sociological juridical approach. The study used in-depth interviews with midwife and adolescent informants. The research was conducted from May to June 2021. Data analysis was carried out by qualitative data analysisResults: The results of the study show that BIdans have carried out their authority and obligations in the role of counselors based on the Midwifery Law Number 4 of 2019 and the Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 28 of 2017 concerning Permits and Implementation of Midwifery Practices article 21a. The role of midwives in the implementation of adolescent counseling is to increase knowledge of reproductive health as a fulfillment of adolescent reproductive health rights. Midwives are implementers of youth health service programsConclusion: Reproductive health rights in adolescents based on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994 there are 12 rights of which 11 reproductive health rights have been well fulfilled.

Development of Adolescent Reproductive Health Module Media

Reproductive health received special attention globally at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, Egypt. Since the conference, the rights of youth to be well informed about reproductive health and reproductive health services have been consistently confirmed. One of the efforts to fulfill these rights is by providing knowledge using health education media, including a module. To develop a product in form of a module which contains information on adolescent reproductive health as an innovative effort that are acceptable in terms of feasibility. This development research uses quantitative and qualitative methods, applying the Borg & Gall development model which has been modified by the Center for Education Policy and Innovation Research Team of the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of National Education. In order to determine the feasibility of the module, the product validity test was carried out by material experts, media experts, practitioner experts, and module trials. A questionnaire was used as the instrument to determine the feasibility of the module. A health education media has been produced in the form of a module that has been validated by 3 (three) experts, namely health promotion experts, health promotion practitioners and media experts and has been declared feasible and has been tested on a small group of 30 teenagers. The module has been declared eligible and has an ISBN and has had a creation record. It is recommended that the Health Promotion team of the public health cooperate with the BKKBN to educate peer counselors and use the module in providing health education about adolescent reproductive health

ART Innovations: Fostering Women's Psychophysical Health between Bioethics Precepts and Human Rights.

Infertility is a highly relevant global issue affecting the reproductive health of at least 15% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide. The scope and severity of the infertility problem is even more prevalent in developing countries, mostly due to untreated reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Infertility, however, goes beyond the mere inability to procreate, but brings about profound psychological, social, and ethical implications of enormous magnitude. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) have gradually become widespread therapeutic options. After all, the implementation of medically assisted reproductive procedures in order to overcome infertility is in keeping with the tenets of the reproductive rights agenda laid out at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994. Nonetheless, concerns still linger about how to implement and regulate such interventions in an ethically tenable fashion. The unremitting pace at which such techniques develop have upset the very notion of sexuality relating to reproduction as well as the concept of family itself. That rift risks causing a crisis in terms of bioethics sustainability and enforcement, which is bound to happen when science and innovation outpace the bioethical precepts on which we rely for essential guidance in medical practice. The authors argue in favor of an approach to regulation and policy-making that puts on the forefront a thorough assessment as to potential risks that such interventions might entail for foundational bioethics principles and inalienable human rights.

Infertility - an unfinished reproductive rights agenda in India.

Twenty-five years after the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) mandate in 1994, India has fallen far short of providing universal access to preventive and treatment services for infertility. This mandate was a call to "prioritize the reproductive health and rights of all people" (1), and reproductive health was defined as.

Status of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Nepal

Adolescence is the transitional stage (10-19 years) of physical and psychological development that occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood. Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) is a healthy condition concerning the system, function and reproductive processes owned by a teenager. ASRH had been taken as an important issue after 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)which took it as key issue. The main objective of this article is to analyse the general status of ASRH based on the information from Nepal Demographic and health survey 2016 thematically with descriptive design. Marriage, sexual relationship, fertility, knowledge and use of family planning, maternal and child health, knowledge on abortion, physical and sexual violence in terms of ASRH. Besides, policy intervention, gaps and recommendationshave also been discussed briefly.

The Nairobi Summit and Reproductive Justice: Unmet Needs for People with Infertility.

The Nairobi Summit, held in November 2019 and convened by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, claims to have represented "all nations and peoples, and all segments" of society during its high-level conference. The overall aim of the summit was to mobilize political will and financial commitments that are urgently needed to "finally and fully" implement the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action. Despite the recommendation by ICPD to incorporate infertility care in reproductive health services, the new Nairobi Statement largely neglects the topic of infertility. This is particularly troublesome as infertility is a global health problem affecting between 52.6 and 72.4 million couples worldwide, with a high prevalence in low- and middle-income settings. For many people around the world, infertility constitutes an emotional, social, and financial burden, yet appropriate services directed toward preventing and addressing infertility are often inaccessible, unaffordable, or nonexistent. With the impetus of a wider reproductive justice community, we call for the integration of infertility into global reproductive health research and practice, urging policy makers, practitioners, researchers, activists, and funders worldwide to bring focused attention to addressing challenges posed by a lack of safe, effective, and dignified fertility management among those in need.

Involvement of husband in maternal and child health care in rural field practice area of a tertiary medical college in South India-A mixed method study.

Background:To commemorate the 25th anniversary of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in the pursuit of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights views of duty bearers (men) who are mostly not involved in antenatal care in a patriarchal society like India needs to be explored.Design:It is a mixed method study (Triangulation).Setting and Population:It was conducted in a rural field practice area of a private medical college in South India covering a population of 19,200.Objectives:1) To determine the involvement of husband in maternal and child care. 2) To find out the perceptions of the husbands of antenatal pregnant women in maternal and child health (MCH) care.Methods:(Quan) A semi-structured questionnaire to find out the areas where husband is involved maximum during antenatal care (Qual). In-depth interviews was conducted to find out the factors associated with their involvement.Results:About 72.5% came for antenatal visits while it decreased to 27.5% during labor and further decreased to 20.3% during immunization. The reasons for decreased participation were (1) Professional Commitments, (2) Views of a Patriarchal society like India, (3) Financial Difficulties, and (4) Health Facility Related Challenges.Conclusion:There is a need to educate the husband regarding the importance of husband's involvement during delivery and immunization. Programs should also include men as the stakeholders for accountability and better MCH care for women.

The Understanding of Difference between Sex and Gender among Secondary Level Students in Nepal

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) which Nepal is a signatory of, identifies sexuality education as a human right. Right to comprehensive sexuality education is also protected by many other international human right treaties. Sexuality education, which is crucial among adolescents, is a vast subject and awareness of the difference between sex and gender is the initial and the most important part of sexuality education. Learning about the differences in gender and sexual identities and respecting those differences can put children in much safer place, less vulnerable of physical and mental exploitations and also make children aware of right against gender based violence, sexual abuse, exploitation and harmful practices. The study particularly focuses on finding out if the senior most students of school are aware about the basic part of sexuality education, i.e. the difference between sex and gender. The data and information required for the study was collected through survey questionnaire and on desk text books' content review. The survey required for this study was done from January till February of 2020. The major findings of the study reveal that the students of secondary level have heard teachers and seniors talk about sex and gender often but have not actually understood those words and the education curriculum also seem insufficient and ineffective in dealing with topics of sex and gender. The finding of this study shows that approximately 19% of the total respondents had some level of understanding of the difference between sex and gender. Through this study one can get an idea on how ineffective and insufficient the curriculum and content are when it comes to sexuality education because the senior most students of schools are unaware about the basic topic which falls under sexuality education, i.e. understanding the difference between sex and gender.

Bridging the Gap: Supporting the Inclusion of More Fathers in Maternity Centers in Jamaica

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) plan of action called for the equal participation of women and men in all areas of family and household responsibility, including family planning, child-rearing, and household chores. This plan of action admonished government to promote and facilitate such participation. The emerging trend to include fathers in maternal and child health services motivated low- to middle-income countries including Jamaica to sign on to global initiatives such as the ICPD and the Sustainability Development Goals for maternal and paternal involvement in the reduction of maternal mortality rates. However, lack of proper infrastructure in the public health system in countries like Jamaica does not sufficiently accommodate fathers during antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal services, neither does it has far reaching programs targeting fathers. This oversight in maternity care is partially due to the lack of guidelines to lead the process, limited space at clinics, and inadequate privacy on some delivery suites.Addressing the gaps to involve more fathers in pregnancy and child-rearing is an unexplored opportunity or innovative strategy that could assist Jamaica in meeting its international obligations to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates. This could also lessen the burden of childbearing and child-rearing on women, while changing the narrative of the negative stereotypes of fatherhood to a positive one in Jamaica. Research has also shown that several undesirable situations are preventable if the pregnant woman gets social and psychological backing, not only from excellent maternal and child health care but also by a social system, particularly from the spouse of the pregnant woman (World Health Organization, 2007).

Escolaridade feminina e a sua importância na escolha voluntária da fecundidade

The 1994 United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) identified the centrality of defending reproductive rights and the importance of ensuring voluntary reproductive choices (UNFPA, 2019). This paper presents a review of the main theoretical models of demand for children and, by assessing the empirical counterpart of these models in an international database, points out the main socioeconomic variables determining fertility. This study shows that female schooling is the most important socioeconomic variable to explain the number of children per woman, as increased female education can expand access to information on contraceptive methods, improve employment opportunities and “empower” women in defending their sexual and reproductive choices.

The Determinants of the Reproductive Health of Women of Tai-Aiton Community of Assam

Reproductive Health is one of the significant issues today as it is a pivotal part of general health. Reproductive health was defined in International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) as “the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes”(ICPD Programme of Action, paragraph 7.2). Worldwide maternal deaths fell by almost 44 percent from 1990 to 2015, but about 830 mothers still die daily in delivery cases or as a result of pregnancy or post partum causes. The health status of tribal women is very poor (Ramana, 2015). The Tai-Aitons are a recognizable scheduled tribe of Assam having their own distinctive culture and tradition. They have been recognized as Scheduled Tribes (Hills) and are listed as Man-Tai Speaking people by the Government of Assam. No specific data about the total population of the Tai-Aitons are available. Though data are not accessible, but various studies exhibit that population of Tai-Aitons is very less. There are number of factors which may influence the reproductive health of the above mentioned women of Tai-aiton community. So, the basic objective of this study is to find out and analyze the main determinants of the reproductive health of women of Tai-Aiton community of Assam. Data is collected from two development blocks of Karbi-Anglong district and one development block of Golaghat district (total 210 households) based on the data of Man-Tai Speaking National Council, Assam, Population Cum Education Census (2006). The data related to this study are collected from August 2019 to October 2019. In order to examine the influence of socio-economic and demographic factors on the reproductive health of the sample women, Multiple Linear Regression analysis has been carried out where value of Reproductive Health Index is taken as dependent variable. The result of the study find out that live birth ever born, education of women, distance to PHCs, occupation of husbands, age at birth of the females and infant mortality affect significantly and occupation of women, monthly income, exposure to mass media and birth interval does not significantly affect the reproductive health of the Tai-Aiton women of Assam. Thus, ensuring a better reproductive health of the women, it is mandatory to improve education among girls particularly beyond high school in tribal areas because education impacts upon the health status particularly the reproductive health status of women. In tribal areas, the Integrated Maternal and Child Health programme may also play an important role in improving the education level mostly take an important step to make aware of the tribal women about their health particularly their nutrition level.

Sexual and reproductive health rights knowledge and reproductive health services utilization among rural reproductive age women in Aleta Wondo District, Sidama zone, Ethiopia: community based cross-sectional study

BackgroundVarious countries in the world have achieved promising progress in promoting, protecting and guaranteeing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHRs) since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. However, SRHRs have not been recognized to their maximum potential in Ethiopia, despite the domestication of the international instruments related to their successful implementation. This study was intended to determine the magnitude of SRHRs knowledge, reproductive health services utilization and their independent predictors among rural reproductive-age women in the Aleta Wondo District, Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 833 rural reproductive-age women from April to May 2019. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select households, and a structured questionnaire was used to gather the data. EPI INFO version 7 was used to enter the data, and SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between outcomes and explanatory variables. Odds ratios at 95% CI were also computed and reported.ResultsOf 833 respondents, 43.9% had good knowledge of SRHR, and 37% had used at least one sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service. Variables that had a statistically significant association with SRHR knowledge in multivariable analysis were: had formal education, household with the highest income, having information sources for SRH services, and knowing about SRH services and providing institutions. SRH services utilization was associated with: having information sources for SRH services, had formal education, household with the highest income, and knowing about SRH services and providing institutions.ConclusionIn this study demographic and economic factors, such as education and household monthly income were positively identified as independent predictors for knowledge of SRHR and SRH services utilization. Therefore, responsible government sectors and NGOs should design and implement programs to promote women’s educational status and household economic status to enhance women’s SRHR knowledge and SRH services utilization.

South–South cooperation in population and development: current progress and future perspectives

The impact of South–South cooperation (SSC) has been bolstered in the context of implementing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. In the past 25 years since ICPD in 1994, remarkable progress and achievements have been made in promoting SSC in population and development. China has been committed to working with developing countries, UN agencies and international organizations to advance ICPD under the framework of SSC. As the landscape of international development assistance has been changing and the ICPD remains as an unfinished agenda, the SSC has increasingly recognized the importance of effective financial inclusion policy in the implementation of the ICPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The international community has recently identified seven strategic priority areas for SSC in the next few years, i.e., (1) population dynamics and development; (2) universal access to reproductive health and family planning services; (3) women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health; (4) healthy ageing; (5) migration; (6) health and poverty alleviation; and (7) ending sexual and gender-based violence. The institutionalization and operationalization remain as critical challenges, and special attention needs to be given to address these issues. Stronger political commitments, enhanced capacity building, better coordination and partnerships establishment of the SSC Center of Excellence, adequate resource mobilization and more evidence-based researches and systematic evaluation are recommended as future strategies for further promoting the SSC in population and development.

Men as Equal Partners in Reproductive Health: What are Their Own Perception and Roles?

Since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo (1994) and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing there has been an increasing consensus on the importance of involving men in reproductive health care. This paper analysed male perception of involvement and their roles in productive health in a study that was conducted in 2015 and used the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) to compliment the empirical data. Findings show male still perceive themselves main decision makers on reproductive health issues. Their roles were mainly centred on decision making on matters of reproductive health including family planning. About sixty-one percent (60.6 percent) indicated that decision about sex has to be done by men. On the use of family planning, more than seventy percent (72.4 percent) indicated that men are the ones to make such decision. The study established that while 78.7 percent of the respondents approves of family planning, less than fifty percent (43 percent) indicated that they discuss family planning issues with their spouse. This further demonstrates that men are main decision makers on issues of reproductive health. Analysis of their knowledge on reproductive health, using DHS data indicate that about 100% were informed of at least one family planning method and that the majority get information from authentic sources including radio, television and newspapers. Based on the results and understating that knowledge of men’s own perception is critical for both pragmatic and policy interventions, it is recommended that deliberate efforts need to continue to have men change their perceptions and become equal partners in reproductive health for the benefit of the family and society at large.