sexually transmitted diseases

This briefing summary is based upon chapters 7 and 8 of the South African Health Review 1999

This briefing summary is based upon Chapter 3 of the South African Health Review 1999

It is important that policies and strategies towards equity in service provision are measured in terms of their impact on health service delivery. This would begin to demonstrate the practical impact of health reform.

In an attempt to measure in part the progress (or lack of progress) towards equity one step would be to measure the quality of service provision at the community (primary care) level. This would give an overview of the disparities between as well as in provinces, and between rural, urban and peri-urban parts of the country.

Promoting reproductive health is a priority issue in South Africa. Many reproductive health services are poorly developed and inaccessible to those most in need. This is reflected by high rates of other largely preventable conditions such as STDs, teenage pregnancy, cervical cancer, unsafe abortion and ill-health related to pregnancy and child birth.

So often, with the doom and gloom attitude by which HIV and AIDS is portrayed in our newspapers, it is easy for us to feel despondent. Yet there is some good news. There are things we as health workers can do that can make a real difference. Good sex and life skills health promotion is an essential component to promoting healthy behaviour. A multi-centre study undertaken by the World Health Organisation has conclusively shown that such education does not encourage promiscuity. In fact it is seen to delay the onset of first sexual activity. Recent research from KwaZulu-Natal has also shown that most parents are in support of such sex education for their children. This dispels some of the myths that have jeopardised some health promotion initiatives in the past.