A Challenge to Sexual and Reproductive Health

Transcription

1 Zika: Pregnancy Planning Within an Evolving Context A Challenge to Sexual and Reproductive Health Family Planning Association of Puerto Rico Profamilias Blanca R. Cuevas Rodríguez, MPHE, CHES Marjorie Vázquez-Roldán, MSW

2 Disclosures Blanca R. Cuevas Rodríguez, MPHE, CHES Commercial Interest Nothing to disclose Role Status Marjorie Vázquez-Roldán, MSW Commercial Interest Nothing to disclose Role Status

3 Objectives Identify at least one strategy suitable for raising awareness on the ZikaVirus as a preventable and sexually transmitted virus based on the experiences of PROFAMILIAS.

4 Who we are? The Family Planning Association of Puerto Rico (profamilias) is a non profit organization incorporated in 1954 that provides services on sexual and reproductive health and sexual education services in Puerto Rico. Profamilias is member association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

5 Our services The Celestina Zalduondo Family Clinic opened it s doors in In July 2005 we became OPA, Title X Grantee. At the CCZ we provide: Gynecologic consults and exams Family planning counseling and prescriptions Pregnancy counseling, testing and referrals Wide range of contraceptives Cervical cancer screening HIV testing and referral Treatment and follow up for other STDs (Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, HPV, Herpes and Syphilis).

6 Zika in Puerto Rico: The context Puerto Rico is a tropical island in the Caribbean. First hearing about Zika. People did not understand Zika virus to be sexually transmitted. The discussion had a negative impact on the economic situation of the island. The situation of the island promoted people s denial and resistance to the issue. Profamilias pondered all these elements in order to develop a preventive and educational message remaining loyal to our mission.

7 Key factors on addressing Zika virus Sexuality as essential to the human being. Pregnancy prevention is not exclusive to women, men had to be included. Stigma related to STD s. Use of emergency contraception. Women could already be pregnant. For some women postponing is not an option. Zika implies a challenge to sexual and reproductive health.

8 Our institutional position. From reflection to action We acted upon IPPF request to come up with a unified message for Western Hemisphere on Zika. We also responded to IPPF, OPA, CDC and PRHD s request for actions raising awareness on the issue as sexual and reproductive health services providers. Collaborated in the revision of OPA s Zika toolkit. We met with representatives of CDC, OPA and USDHHS. We partook on the discussion of the topic locally.

9 From reflection to action continues We discussed the issue internally and came up with a proposal to amend our work plan as Title X grantee, to integrate Zika as part of the clinical and educational service path across all our programs. We established a Zika hotline. Reviewed case management documentation and counseling to include Zika virus information. Expanded our services adding information on Zika as a sexually transmitted infection and its prevention to our outreach activities and workshops.

10 Status of our Zika efforts Launched a campaign (#fight Zika) creating awareness on Zika and the ways to prevent it, linked to our webpage Created a prevention guide with basic information about Zika, emphasizing on the sexual transmission of the virus (as well as information on contraception). Unprotected sex has become more insecure

11 Zika: Prevention guide

12 Status of our Zika efforts, continued The map shows the areas were the most people have download the Zika guide.

13 Zika Action Day

14 Next steps! Strengthening our staff knowledge on updated information on Zika virus through training. Increase our radius of outreach activities by networking with organizations, universities, communities and other health providers. Continue raising awareness on the topic trough all our programs and services.

15 Other activities Announcing the Zika Prevention Guide LGBTQI Pride

16 Thank You!