Saturday 11 January 2014

Sexuality and Reproductive Health in the Middle East

Sexual and reproductive health has a wide ambit consisting of health related issues regarding sexual relationships, pregnancies and births. As it deals with most private aspect of an individual’s life it is not considered appropriate in Middle East to talk openly about sex and other related issues. Since being a region dominated by Islamic teachings it does not promote sexual awareness hence not many people in Middle East are aware of the sexuality and reproductive health issues. One of the five people in the Middle East is in age group of 15-24. Surprisingly, young people’s reproductive health issue is not included in the health agendas.
These people in Middle East are living their lives differently from their ancestors. They are getting sexually mature enough pretty earlier by which they have sexual relationships before marriage. Such sexual relationships in early age puts them at a high risk of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and many other issues. On the other hand, socially acceptable relations like marrying at early age is also significantly high in Middle East with girls getting married in this age mainly due to religious and family pressure. This makes them more susceptible to large number of health related issues throughout their lives. Due to lack of knowledge these girls do not use family planning until they give birth to first child.
Number of people with having HIV in Middle East is growing. Regions like Middle East are still those are of the world where sexuality and reproductive health issues are ignored. Particularly, youth of this region should have idea about what sexuality and reproduction health is all about. Teaching at schools should be necessary. Media should also promote awareness among the people.

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