Notes on MAPEH 10

Reproductive Health Law

 
( Facts about RH law 10354 )
 
 Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, also known as the
Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, and officially designated as Republic Act No.
10354
 
 Principal author of the RH law is Cong. Edcel Lagman. signed into law on Friday
21 December 2012 by President Benigno Aquino III of The Philippines.
 
( The Salient features of RH Law )
 
 Address the country’s increasing population growth.
 Address the high mortality rate among mothers and infants.
 Address the increasing of sexually transmitted infections.
 
( The following bills with same goals are)
 
 House Bill N0.96 Reproductive Health Act and Population and Development Act of
2010 by Cong. Edcel Lagman.
 Senate Bill No.2378 Reproductive Health Act by Sen. Santiago.
 
( Essentials of RH law )
 
 Promotes Breastfeeding
 Encourage Responsible Parenting
 Not force anyone against their Ethical and Religious beliefs
 Doesn’t legalize Abortion
 It is about health and rights, not demographics
 Contraceptives are safe
 Information on Reproductive health
 Promotes Natural and artificial method
 Will not teach a 10 year old how to use the condom
 Freedom to choose
 Care for healthy children

 
( To sum it, RH Bill would like to address the following issues and concerns )
 
( Maternal and Child Care )
 
 Through supporting and deploying more public midwives, nurses and doctors most
especially in far flung areas.
 Promoting equal access to health information and services between the rich and the
poor
 Decrease the mortality rate among newborn babies and reduce pregnancy
complications
 
( Sexual Education )
 
 Reinforcing teaching of reproductive health by adequately trained teachers in
formal and non-formal educational system starting from Gr.5-4th yr high school
using life skills and other approaches.
 Sexual education will be taught at an earlier stage, informing students about dos and
don’ts for prevention of unhealthy sexual behaviors.
 
( Methods of Contraception )

 The RH Bill promotes BOTH natural and artificial methods.

 
 ( SEC. 3. Guiding Principles for Implementation )
 
 The State will provide information and access without bias, to all methods of family
planning which have been proven safe and effective in accordance with scientific
and evidence-based medical standards such as those set by the World Health
Organization and registered and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
 
 ( SEC. 4. Definition of Terms )
 
 ( Modern Methods of Family Planning ) - refer to safe, effective, and legal
methods, whether natural or artificial.
 
( Reproductive Health )
 
 It is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the
reproductive system.

 
( Foundation of the Pillars of Reproductive Health )
 
 The RH Law has 4 Pillars in Reproductive Health.
 
( Informed Choice )
 
 As stated in the act, effective and quality reproductive healthcare services, which
are ethically and medically safe, legal, accessible and affordable, shall be given
primacy to ensure the health of the mother and child.
 Also, the Government shall promote and provide unbiased information and access
to these services.
 This pillar also covers the provision for the integration of reproductive health and
sexuality education in schools and other educational settings.
 
( Respect Life )
 
 This Act recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law.
 Does not condone abortion.
 However, mothers will be identified to have aborted an unborn child will be served
with post abortive treatment and counseling in a humane, non-judgmental, and
compassionate manner.
 
( Birth Control )
 
 Reproductive healthcare, information, and supplies shall be made available most
especially to poor beneficiaries.
 However, the Act provisions also that the Government must respect the citizen's
individual preferences and choice of family planning method.
 
( Parenting: Responsible Parenthood )
 
 Couples determine their ideal family size.
 Also, the Government shall equip each parent with needed information in all
aspects of family life, reproductive health, and this pillar.
 

( Modern Methods of Family Planning - Natural )

 
 ( Calendar Method )
 
 Is a method in which a woman calculates the fertile and infertile days of her
menstrual cycle based on the length of her own cycle as opposed to using a standard
length cycle as is the case with the Standard Days Method.
 During the last 7 days of the menstrual cycle., the female is fertile.
 This method can therefore be used by women who have irregular length menstrual
cycles.
 Women must keep track of the length of their menstrual cycle for at least 6 months
before commencing this method.
 
 ( Basal Body Temperature )
 
 A fertility awareness-based method that is a type of natural family planning.
 Your ideal body temperature is your temperature when you're fully at rest,
Ovulation may cause a slight increase in basal body temperature.
 Women will be most fertile during the 2 or 3 days before their temperature rises by
tracking their basal body temperature each day, they may be able to predict when
they'll ovulate. In turn, this may help them determine when they're most likely to
conceive.
 
 ( Cervical Mucus Method )
 
 Also called as the "Billings Ovulation Method", is a type of natural family planning
also known as "Fertility Awareness-Based Methods".
 Is based on careful observation of mucus patterns during the course of your
menstrual cycle.
 Before ovulation, cervical secretions change, creating an environment that helps
sperm travel through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the egg by
recognizing the changing characteristics of their cervical mucus.
 The can predict when they'll ovulate, which can help them determine when they're
most likely to conceive.
 
 
 ( Withdrawal Method )
 
 Also called as "Pulling Out".
 Is the practice of withdrawing the penis from the vagina and away from a woman's
external genitals before ejaculation to prevent pregnancy.
 It's goal is to prevent sperm from entering the vagina.
 Requires self-control.
 Doesn't offer protection from sexually transmitted infections.

 
( Modern Methods of Family Planning - Artificial )
 
 ( IUD or Internal Uterine Device )
 
 Inserted in the uterus and last for 5-10 years.
 How it works, the hormones or the copper stop the sperm from reaching the egg.
Sometimes the sperm does reach the egg, so the IUD stops the egg from attaching to
the wall of the uterus.
 How well does it work, copper and hormonal IUDs are at least 99% effective. Only
1 in a 100 people will get pregnant each year.
 
 ( Oral Contraception Pills )
 
 The birth control pill works by stopping sperm from joining with an egg.
 The hormones in the pill stop ovulation, no ovulation means no egg hanging around
for sperm to fertilize, so pregnancy can't happen.
 The pill's hormones also thicken the mucus on the cervix.
 
 ( Condom )
 
 Is a thin, fitted tube that a man wears over his penis during sex or a woman inserts
into her vagina before sex.
 Condoms can helps prevent pregnancies and STDs, they create a barrier that keeps
semen and other bodily fluids out of the vagina, rectum or mouth.
 You might hear a condom being called a "Rubber" or "Barrier Method".
 Don’t use male and female condoms at the same time because one can stick to the
other and pull it out of place or tear it.
 When used properly, male condoms are about 98% effective, this means that in a
year, 2 out of every 100 women whose partners use condoms effectively will get
pregnant.
 
 ( Diaphragm / Cap )
 
 Is a barrier method of contraception, it fits inside their vagina and prevents sperm
passing through the cervix,you need to use it with gel that kills sperm ( Spermicide ).
 You only have to use a diaphragm or cap when you have sex, but you must leave it in for
longer than this, but don’t take it out before.

 
 ( Vagina Ring )
 
 
 Is a contraceptive ring which sits inside the vagina, it contains 2 hormones
( Oestrogen & Progestrogen ), and stops ovaries from releasing an egg each month.
 The vaginal ring is inserted into the vagina on the first day of a woman's menstrual
cycle and stays in from place for 3 weeks in a row, and is then removed while the
woman has her period.
 A new ring is inserted on the first day of the next menstrual cycle.
 
 ( Tubal Ligation - Female )
 
 Is a surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy.
 It has commonly been called "Getting your Tubes Tied", it is also called a "Female
Sterilization".
 Tubal refers to the fallopian tubes, Ligation means to tie off or cut off.
 During surgery, both fallopian tubes are blocked or cut, this prevents the egg and
male sperm from connecting to prevent pregnancy.
 
 ( Vasectomy - Male )
 
 Blocks or cuts each vas deferens tube, keeping sperm out of his semen.
 Sperm cells stay in his testicles and are absorbed by his body.
 Starting about 3 month after a vasectomy, his sperm won't contain any sperm so it
can't cause pregnancy. But he'll still have the same amount of semen he did before,
just no sperm in it.
 It doesn't change the way of having an orgasm or ejaculating feels, his semen will
still look, feel, and taste the same after a vasectomy. It just won't be able to get
anybody pregnant.
 
( HIV-AIDS Control and Prevention )
 
( HIV-AIDS )
 
 AIDS stand for " Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome" which means deficient
immune system.
 It takes place when one is infected with the HIV virus.
 People can get infected by the HIV virus by unsafe sex, contact with blood with an
infected person such as using contaminated injection needles, from mother to child
during pregnancy, and childbirth or breastfeeding.
 It is because the virus can be transmitted through blood, sperm, vaginal fluids, pre-
seminal fluids, and breastmilk.
 There is no risk of becoming infected with the virus if it is through saliva or shaking
hands.
 

( Seropositive )
  When someone has the HIV but isn't symptomatic yet.
 It means that that person has HIV antibodies in his/her blood.
 No signs of disease yet.
 
( 4 Stages of HIV Infection )
 
 ( First Stage )
 
 Continuous fever and swollen glands can occur.
 Some people can still appear asymptomatic in this stage.
 
 ( Second Stage )
 
 Recurring airway infections, skin lesions, mouth lesions, and genital lesions often
occur.
 
 ( Third Stage )
 
 Prolonged diarrhea, excessive weight loss, tuberculosis in the lungs, and other
serious infections like Meningitis can occur.
 
 ( Fourth Stage )
 
 Besides some serious infections, it can affect the nervous system which can result to
motor loss or other AIDS related dementia.
 
 It may take 5 - 15 years before someone knows that they got AIDS, it is because
sometimes it takes longer for symptoms to occur.
 HIV and AIDS can be treated but can't be cured.
 Antiretrovirals slow down the multiplication of the virus but it doesn't kill it.
 Other treatments are getting medications to boost the immune system and fight
against infections.
 AIDS can be prevented by having safe sex and using clean needles.

 
( Philippines AIDS Prevention and Control Act. )
 
 Also known as the "Republic Act. No. 8504" was passed by the congress on July
28, 1997.
 The act promulgates policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and
control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, instituting a nationwide HIV/AIDS
information and education program, establishing comprehensive HIV/AIDS
monitoring system, strengthening the Philippine National AIDS Council, and for
other purposes.
 The act also provides for education and information dissemination in various
institutions and agencies, safe practice and procedures ( testing, screening,
counseling ) in health organizations and associations, monitoring of cases with
confidentiality, and programs for anti-discriminatory acts ( in the workplace,
hospitals, and other public institutions ).
 
( Situational Analysis Laws )
 
 Modes of transmission and ways of preventing HIV/AIDS and other sexually
transmitted diseases in subjects taught in public and private schools at intermediate
grades, secondary and tertiary levels.
 
 HIV/AIDS education and information dissemination shall form part of the delivery
of health services by health practitioners, workers and personnel.
 
 All government and private employees, workers, managers, and supervisors,
including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine
National Police (PNP), shall be provided with the standardized basic information
and instruction on HIV/AIDS which shall include topics on confidentiality in the
workplace and attitude towards infected employees and workers.
 
 The State shall ensure that all overseas Filipino workers and diplomatic, military,
trade, and labor officials and personnel to be assigned overseas shall undergo or
attend a seminar on the cause, prevention and consequences of HIV/AIDS before
certification for overseas assignment.
 
 Informational aids or materials on the cause, modes of transmission, prevention, and
consequences of HIV infection shall be adequately provided at all international
ports of entry and exit.
 
 Local government units, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH),
shall conduct an educational and information campaign on HIV/AIDS. The
provincial governor, city or municipal mayor and the barangay captain shall
coordinate such campaign among concerned government agencies, non-government
organizations and church-based groups.
 
 Misinformation on HIV/AIDS prevention and control through false and misleading
advertising and claims in any of the tri-media or the promotional marketing of
 drugs, devices, agents or procedures without prior approval from the Department of
Health and the Bureau of Food and Drugs and the requisite medical and scientific
basis, including markings and indications in drugs and devises or agents, purporting
to be a cure or a fail-safe prophylactic for HIV infection is punishable with a
penalty of imprisonment for two (2) months to two (2) years, without prejudice to
the imposition of administrative sanctions such as fines and suspension or
revocation of professional or business license.
 
 No laboratory or institution shall accept a donation of tissue or organ, whether such
donation is gratuitous or onerous, unless a sample from the donor has been tested
negative for HIV. All donated blood shall also be subjected to HIV testing and
HIV(+) blood shall be disposed of properly and immediately.
 
 The Department of Health (DOH), in consultation and in coordination with
concerned professional organizations and hospital associations, shall issue
guidelines on precautions against HIV transmission during surgical, dental,
embalming, tattooing or similar procedures. The DOH shall likewise issue
guidelines on the handling and disposition of cadavers, body fluids or wastes of
persons known or believed to be HIV-positive.
 
 No compulsory HIV testing shall be allowed. However, the State shall encourage
voluntary testing for individuals with a high risk for contracting HIV: Provided,
That written informed consent must first be obtained. Such consent shall be
obtained from the person concerned if he/she is of legal age or from the parents or
legal guardian in the case of a minor or a mentally incapacitated individual. Lawful
consent to HIV testing of a donated human body, organ, tissue, or blood shall be
considered.
 
 The State shall provide a mechanism for anonymous HIV testing and shall
guarantee anonymity and medical confidentiality in the conduct of such tests.
 
 All testing centers, clinics, or laboratories which perform any HIV test shall be
required to provide and conduct free pre-test counselling and post-test counselling
for persons who avail of their HIV/AIDS testing services. However, such
counselling services must be provided only by persons who meet the standards set
by the DOH.
 
 Trainings for livelihood, self-help cooperative programs shall be made accessible
and available to all persons with HIV/AIDS. Persons infected with HIV/AIDS shall
not be deprived of full participation in any livelihood, self-help and cooperative
programs for reason of their health conditions.
 
 All credit and loan services, including health, accident and life insurance shall not
be denied to a person on the basis of his/her actual, perceived or suspected HIV
status: Provided, That the person with HIV has not concealed or misrepresented the
fact to the insurance company upon application. Extension and continuation of
 credit and loan shall likewise not be denied solely on the basis of said health
condition.
 
 The Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) created by virtue of Executive
Order No. 39 dated 3 December 1992 shall be reconstituted and strengthened to
enable the Council to oversee an integrated and comprehensive approach to
HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the Philippines. It shall be attached to the
Department of Health.
 
 Discrimination in any form from pre-employment to post-employment, including
hiring, promotion or assignment, based on the actual, perceived or suspected HIV
status of an individual is prohibited. Termination from work on the sole basis of
actual, perceived or suspected HIV status is deemed unlawful.
 
 The right to seek an elective or appointive public office shall not be denied to a
person with HIV.