Adolescents Reproductive Health (ARH) Definition.

ARH is a state of complete physical,

mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters
relating to the reproductive system of people between the ages of 10 and 19
The journal includes sections dedicated to adolescent health, female fertility and midwifery and
all content is open access. Reproductive health is defined as a state of physical, mental, and
social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductivesystem, at all stages of life.

Because reproductive health is such an important component of general health it is a

prerequisite for social, economic and human development. ... The aim of interventions is
to enhance reproductive health and promote reproductive rights rather than
population policies and fertility control.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education:

Developing responsible youth vs rising
risks
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 COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION: DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE
YOUTH VS RISING RISKS

PASIG CITY, August 4, 2018 – Curbing the rising incidences of early pregnancy, sexual
violence, and human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among young Filipinos will be
further strengthened in the classroom as the Department of Education (DepEd) issued
the Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education
(CSE).

Otherwise known as DepEd Order No. 31, series 2018 (DO 31), the policy aims to
enhance the holistic wellness of the Filipino adolescents and effectively address their
needs for health and protection through education by ensuring that they are equipped
with comprehensive information and appropriate life skills that can advance gender
equality and empowerment, clarify their values and attitude, and reduce risks related to
poor health outcomes – thereby enabling them to achieve their full potential.

“The need to promptly arrest the surge in these cases is increasingly becoming urgent;
the young generation is really at risk, that’s why it is imperative to enable them to
develop into responsible adolescents capable of making rational decisions based on
adequate information and better understanding of reproductive health,” Education
Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones noted.
Recognizing the roles and responsibilities of the school system to provide learners their
right to good health, the policy shall establish a common understanding of CSE key
concepts and messages and ensure a clear implementation of CSE protocols in all
public and private elementary, junior and senior high schools, learning centers for
Special Education (SPED) and Alternative Learning System (ALS), and laboratory
schools of state and local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs).

Indigenous learning systems (ILSs) and Madrasah Education Program (MEP) shall
integrate the CSE standards, core topics, core values, and core life skills in subjects like
Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH); Science; Edukasyon sa
Pagpapakatao (ESP); Araling Panlipunan; and Personality Development.

Effective teaching, informed adolescents

A curriculum-based process of teaching and learning, CSE is anchored on cognitive,
emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality that is scientific, age- and
developmentally appropriate, culturally and gender-responsive, and with rights-based
approach. Likewise, it’s implementation shall involve parents-teachers-community
associations, school officials, civil society organizations, and other interest groups that
ensure cultural acceptability, efficiency, and appropriateness of key concepts and
messages.

As it equips learners with knowledge, skills, attitude and values, CSE will help them
develop critical thinking in relation to risky behaviors and empower them to realize their
health, well-being, and dignity. It is also expected to contribute to better learning
outcomes, reduced dropout rate, increased completion rate, and improved quality of
learning.

END

RPRH - EDUCATION FOR ADOLESCENTS

RPRH Education for Adolescents
The State shall provide age- and development- appropriate responsible parenthood and
reproductive health education to adolescents and school-age children.
This shall be taught by adequately trained teachers and educators in formal and non-
formal educational systems.
Complete, accurate and relevant age and development- appropriate information on
responsible parenthood and reproductive health, respectful of culture and religious
convictions, shall be integrated in the school curriculum which shall include the following
topics:
 Rights of the Child;
 Child Health and Nutrition;
 Child and Adolescent Development;
 Gender and Development;
 Life skills;
 Age-appropriate Sexuality Education;
 Population and development;
  Marriage and family;
 Prevention of STIs, including HIV, and
 Recognition and elimination of gender-based violence.
(RA 10354 Section 14 and IRR Rule 11, Section 11.02)
Who will be the lead agency in implementing the RPRH education for
adolescents?
The Department of Education (DepEd) is mandated by the Law to formulate a curriculum
including concepts and messages on reproductive health. The National Implementation
Team (NIT) created a Technical Working Group for Comprehensive Sexuality Education
(TWG on CSE) to support the DepEd in this endeavor. It is composed of DepEd as Chair,
POPCOM as Secretariat, and DOH, DSWD, NYC, and CSOs as members.
What are other venues where RPRH Education can be integrated?
DepEd shall include RPRH education in the Teacher-Child-Parent (TCP) activities with the
objective of ensuring that parents or guardians are likewise exposed to RPRH education.
(RA 10354 IRR Rule 11, Section 11.06)
What other services can be provided to in-school adolescents?
Private and public schools, as avenues for development, shall provide young people a
supportive environment where they have access to the following services with regards to
teenage problems, among others:
 Counseling and psycho-social support services;
 Facilities for information on prevention of risky behaviors, including addiction;
 Facilities for information on prevention and diagnosis and proper management/treatment
of STIs; and
 Facilities for information and referral to service providers on all RPRH concerns.
(RA 10354 IRR Rule 11, Section 11.03)
Are other agencies also providing RPRH education for adolescents?
Several government agencies and CSOs have also initiated their own RPRH education for
adolescents.
POPCOM in collaboration with LGUs conduct U4U teen trails and maintain teen
centers in school and communities; DOH provide counseling and services on adolescent
sexuality and health; DSWD developed youth development sessions (YDS) for 4Ps
beneficiaries, POPDEV education have been integrated in selected schools, NYC conducts
various for a on sexuality and reproductive health for youth among others.
How will Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health education be
funded?
The funds for the implementation of provisions on RPRH education shall be included in
the annual budget of the DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical
Education and Skills Development Agency (TESDA), and other concerned agencies. (RA
10354 IRR Rule 9,
Section 9.05)
What agency will monitor the implementation of the RPRH education?
DepEd is mandated to institute regular monitoring and reporting on the integration of
RPRH education and information in the formal, non-formal, community-based education
and indigenous learning systems. (RA 10354 IRR Rule 11, Section 11.02)
Answering the call for
adolescent RH education
By: Justine Ang Fonte - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 08:56 PM August 19, 2011

Inspired by the debate on reproductive health (RH), it is worthy to look into RH efforts
and the effects they may have on our youth in the classroom. After all, today’s Filipino
youth will be tomorrow’s future and it is prudent to assess whether or not they are well
equipped to lead our nation toward achieving better health outcomes.

Recently, I completed a qualitative study, coupled with a comparative report, to make

precisely this type of assessment.
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The Department of Education has completed a two-year pilot program administering

Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) modules in selected schools in 31
municipalities across the country from Grade 5 to fourth year high school. The pilot
project commenced in 2009 and was funded by the UN Population Fund.

I visited two high schools in Zambales and held focus group discussions (FGD) with
teachers, parents and students of the school community. The data from these
discussions were triangulated to assess the communities’ expectations and priorities
from such a curriculum and to identify the barriers that prevent the attainment of
comprehensive ARH education goals.

In terms of RH issues, the teachers interviewed emphasized the importance of values

with reference to sexual behavior, early pregnancy prevention, protection against
disease, and increasing the knowledge of students on reproductive biology, in that
order.
The parents who participated in the study prioritized values regarding engagement in
sexual acts and concerns about their children’s curiosity about the “wrong things.”

Students, on the other hand, felt the need for answers to their many lingering concerns
about protection and biology to correct such misinformation such as “Is it true that you
can get pregnant from kissing?” and “My friend has HIV. I heard if she drinks
Safeguard (soap), she will be healed.”

Understanding the views of teachers, parents and students will help further ARH efforts
in addressing the needs of the community for comprehensive education about better
health.

The barriers in the way of achieving ARH goals were also analyzed.

Teachers claimed they lacked the necessary resources in order to effectively teach ARH
topics and the application of practical methods such as natural and artificial family
planning.

Parents almost unanimously agreed that they struggled with communicating

reproductive health issues with their children to the extent that they could not even say
the words “tutoy” or “ari”, let alone discuss the pubescent changes their children were
undergoing.
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Students felt that their biggest challenges lay in barriers to communicating with elders
and in their knowledge of reproductive biology. In rationalizing the perceived barrier
with a teacher or parent, one child concluded, “They just get mad, so I just don’t ask.”

The issues surrounding these barriers are profound. Teachers are spending their own
funds to improve the curriculum assigned to them. Students resort to inaccurate sources
such as Facebook, TV shows and their barkada to find answers to their ARH questions.
A lack of communication exists between parent and child about these vital topics since
both parties are uncomfortable discussing or raising the topic with each other.

Some parents claimed that “18 years old is when they should know those things” or
“they’ll know when they get married.” The issue of “adultism” or casting the youth as
categorically less able and less intelligent than adults is prevalent both in school and in
the home. How can we expect our youth to become capable and upright citizens if we
withhold from them the knowledge they need to become responsible adults?

A report was also prepared comparing the PopDevEd curriculum developed by the
University of San Carlos-Office of Population Studies with the DepEd’s ARH modules
for public schools.

Found to be more comprehensive in terms of balance between theoretical and practical

knowledge, the PopDevEd curriculum clearly structures each lesson around the
connection between population, development, human sexuality and responsible
parenthood. Encompassing such a continuum that is in line with Catholic teachings for
elementary, secondary and college modules makes this curriculum extremely adaptable
to many communities. In fact, it is so adaptable that many DepEd schools that were not
included in the pilot project are requesting for the Catholic curriculum and materials for
use this school year.

It is evident from the data in this study that an increase in training for both teachers and
parents would improve knowledge and communication of a difficult topic. Revising the
fear-based DepEd curriculum and the tools referred to there would begin to remedy the
unmet needs of the students. Tapping available resources to supplement the curriculum
by partnering with health centers and making use of HIV preventive education tools
would also fill the gaps.

The support for comprehensive ARH education prevails in the local communities.
However, it is the responsibility of the decision-makers in the DepEd to answer their
call.

Justine Ang Fonte (jaf2189@columbia.edu) is a visiting researcher at the Asian

Institute of Management and graduate student of Columbia University’s Mailman
School of Public Health in New York City. She holds a master’s in Education and was
a public school teacher in the United States. To read the complete findings of her study
and research, see “AIM’s Development-At-Work” series (cdm.aim.edu). The views
expressed are the author’s only and represent no organization.
DepEd urged to implement comprehensive sex education amid rising HIV cases
1.6KSHARES1.2K5
Ryan Macasero (Philstar.com) - December 4, 2018 - 1:29pm
MANILA, Philippines — Due to the rising rates of human immunodeficiency
virus in the Philippines, the Department of Health is urging the Department of
Education to implement sex education in elementary schools, as mandated by
the Reproductive Health law.

“That's why we've been hedging the Department of Education to implement

the Reproductive Health law, which mandates DepEd intro sex ed as early as
age appropriate,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, Department of Health director of
Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service, during an
interview with "The Chiefs" of Cignal TV/One News.

The Reproductive Health bill was signed into law by former President Benigno
Aquino III in 2012.

December 1 was marked as the World AIDS Day. As of 2017, UN AIDS

recorded an estimated 68,000 Filipinos diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, with an
average of 32 new diagnoses a day.
While the number of deaths from HIV/AIDs is dropping globally, the number of
infections is increasing rapidly in the Philippines. According to a report
published by the DOH in October, 1,047 people were diagnosed every day in
August, compared to 1,021 who were diagnosed daily in January.

Integrating sex education in schools to

empower learners
By Ma. Teresa Montemayor April 4, 2019, 2:33 pm
Share


MANILA -- The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday underscored the importance of

integrating sexuality education lessons in public elementary and high schools to curb the incidences
of teenage pregnancy, population growth, and sexual diseases.
Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said the DepEd is working on the updates and
improvement of policy guidelines on the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education
(CSE) integrated with subjects and extra-curricular activities.

"We want it integrated with existing subjects, as well as in the different activities we do in school,"
Sevilla said in Filipino during a television interview over state-run PTV.

On July 13 last year, the DepEd issued the CSE policy guidelines that aim to ensure that learners
receive comprehensive and appropriate information that can advance gender equality and
empowerment.

Teachers, school principals, and other education stakeholders are expected to make teaching and
learning more relevant, meaningful and useful to learners through the policy guidelines.

The topics would be integrated in such learning areas as Araling Panlipunan, Physical Education
and Health, Science, and Personal Development.

"(For) example, in science. We know that the parts of the body is a science topic. But here, we will
integrate the concept of privacy, harassment, and good relationship. So, values education comes in,"
Sevilla said.

In the same TV interview, Commission on Population (Popcom) Deputy Director Lolito Tacardon
attributed population growth to three factors -- fertility, mortality, and migration.

Tacardon said the Philippines' fertility rate is much higher than the other two factors, hence, the
country's increasing population.

"Around 2 million is added to us every year based on our current population growth rate at 1.7 and
when you translate this to simple arithmetic, this is three children per minute so around 4,000 per
day, are added to us," he said.

Lack of awareness about the right method of family planning among many Filipinos is another
contributing factor to the issue, he added.

"At the moment, we're happy that the President is supportive of the National Program on Family
Planning and just during the last Cabinet meeting, he approved the intensified implementation of the
National Program on Family Planning," Tacardon said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey,
overall, 9 percent of women aged 15 years to 19 years have begun childbearing: 7 percent have had
a live birth and 2 percent were pregnant.

The proportion of teenagers who have begun childbearing rises rapidly with age, from 1 percent at
age 15 years to 22 percent at age 19 years.

Rural teenagers start childbearing slightly earlier than urban teenagers, at 10 percent and 7 percent,
respectively. (PNA)
Adolescents' Reports of Reproductive
Health Education, 1988 and 1995
Laura D. Lindberg,Guttmacher InstituteLeighton KuFreya Sonenstein

First published online: September 1, 2000DOI: https://doi.org/10.1363/3222000

Context: Reproductive health education is a key strategy for promoting safe sexual behavior
among teenagers. In the last decade, new initiatives in response to AIDS and growing interest in
abstinence education may have changed the prevalence, content or timing of the reproductive
health education provided by schools and parents.

Methods: Formal reproductive health education and communication with parents about
reproductive health among males aged 15-19 were analyzed using data from the 1988 and 1995
National Surveys of Adolescent Males. Young men's reports of formal instruction were
compared with reports by adolescent females from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth.

Results: Between 1988 and 1995, formal reproductive health education became nearly universal
among adolescent males: In 1988, 93% of teenage males received some formal instruction,
compared with 98% in 1995. The percentage of teenage males who received instruction about
AIDS increased from 73% to 97% and the proportion who received instruction about how to say
no to sex increased from 58% to 75%. Adolescent males who had dropped out of school received
significantly less reproductive health education than those who had stayed in school, however. In
addition, the median age at initial instruction decreased from age 14 to 13. Many males did not
receive instruction prior to first intercourse, with non-Hispanic blacks being significantly less
likely than other males to receive education prior to first intercourse. In 1995, 54% of black
males had received reproductive health education before they first had sex, compared with 68%
of Hispanic males and 76% of non-Hispanic white males. A smaller share of adolescent males
than females received reproductive health education, and males were less likely than females to
receive instruction prior to first intercourse.

Conclusions: During the last decade, many types of formal reproductive health education for
adolescents expanded. Further efforts should focus on assuring access to timely, comprehensive
and high-quality reproductive health education for all teenagers and reducing gaps in access
related to race, gender and school attendance.

Family Planning Perspectives, 2000, 32(5):220-226

The journal includes sections dedicated to adolescent health, female fertility and
midwifery and all content is open access. Reproductive health is defined as a state of
physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to
the reproductivesystem, at all stages of life.
Because reproductive health is such an important component of general health it is a
prerequisite for social, economic and human development. ... The aim of interventions is to
enhance reproductive health and promote reproductive rights rather than population policies
and fertility control

Because reproductive health is such an important component of general health it is a

prerequisite for social, economic and human development. ... The aim of interventions is to
enhance reproductive health and promote reproductive rights rather than population policies
and fertility control

Good sexual and reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in
all matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to have a satisfying
and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to
do so.
In the Philippines, there are 9.7 million girls aged 10 to 19, and by age 19, 1 in 5 girls are - or will
soon be - mothers.

Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are one of the leading causes of death for adolescent
girls, and unintended pregnancy also brings other serious health risks as well as limiting girls’ ability
to fulfill their potential by forcing them to leave school or forfeit good job opportunities. This also
leaves them more vulnerable to falling into poverty and exclusion.

Recent estimates indicate that around P33 billion is lost each year through teenage pregnancy.
That’s almost 1% of the Philippines’ GDP (2012).

And adolescent pregnancies are on the rise. In 1993, 6.5 per cent of adolescent women aged 15-19
have begun childbearing. By 2013, the percentage had reached 10.1.

UNFPA works with the government, civil society organizations and youth networks to address the
challenges faced by young people, particularly adolescent girls, by supporting efforts to provide
youth-appropriate sexual and reproductive health services and information available to everyone,
and by helping develop a sound policy and legal framework to boost sexual and reproductive health
and rights.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education, available for all young people, is key to ensuring sexual and
reproductive health and reproductive rights. UNFPA works with the Department of Education and the
U4U initiative – an interactive panel through the Commission on Population and other partners. To
date, UNFPA has reached 7.5 million young Filipinos with correct information on adolescent sexual
and reproductive health. UNFPA also supports evidenced-based studies as bases of policies and
plans of the government and other stakeholders.