The impact of mistreatment during childbirth Mistreatment during childbirth may have both direct and indirect impacts on the woman and her baby. For example, a WHO qualitative study in Nigeria found that women and healthcare providers justified slapping a woman while she was in labour if it was done to encourage the woman to push....

Useful Things to Know about Pregnancy  Pregnancy Related Information for Pregnant Woman & Spouses A pregnant woman has a higher chance of snoring when she sleeps. Studies have shown that pregnancy hormones can cause the membranes in a pregnant woman’s nose to soften and swell. Pregnant women should stop wearing underwear bras as they can...

Dealing with Adolescent pregnancies Adolescent pregnancies are a global problem occurring in high, middle-and low-income countries. Around the world, however, adolescent pregnancies are more likely to occur in marginalized communities, commonly driven by poverty and lack of education and employment opportunities. Several factors contribute to adolescent pregnancies and births. In many societies, girls are under...

Cultural and social factors for performing female genital mutilation (FGM) The reasons why female genital mutilations are performed vary from one region to another and include a mix of sociocultural factors within families and communities. The most commonly cited reasons are: • Where FGM is a social convention (social norm), the social pressure to conform...

How sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are spread STIs are spread predominantly by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex Some STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as via blood or blood products Many STIs including syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, and HPV can also be transmitted from mother to...

Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Counselling and behavioural interventions offer primary prevention against STIs (including HIV), as well as against unintended pregnancies. These include: • comprehensive sexuality education, STI and HIV pre- and post-test counselling; • safer sex/risk-reduction counselling, condom promotion; • STI interventions targeted to key populations, such as sex workers, men who...

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Key facts • More than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide • Each year, there are an estimated 376 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. • More than 500 million people are estimated to have genital infection with herpes...

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Who is at risk?  FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and adolescence, and occasionally on adult women.  More than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGM annually.  More than 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected...

Are there any health benefits associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)? According to the WHO, FGM has no health benefits, only harm. FGM harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies. Generally speaking, risks...

About Female genital mutilation • Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. • It is also injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. • The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such...