1. Home
  2. Vol 8, No 1 (2004)
  3. Ngozi Iwere and Pat Mahmoud

Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Nigeria through Change in Medical School Curriculum

Boniface A Oye-Adeniran, Isaac F Adewole Ngozi Iwere and Pat Mahmoud(1),


(1) 
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Significant developments have occurred in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally in the last decade. However, this is yet to translate into improved status of SRHR in developing countries. One of the strategies recognised worldwide for addressing the poor status of SRHR is human capacity building at all levels. A pilot work conducted in two federal university medical schools identified a major gap in knowledge among medical students on issues related to SRHR. This called for a review of the curriculum to enable the incorporation of relevant and topical issues. This article describes the processes leading to the adoption of the Nigerian medical schools' sexual and reproductive health and rights curriculum. The exercise culminated in the identification of internal and external stakeholders and needs of the Nigerian medical schools in teaching reproductive health. The participation of lecturers (bottom-up approach) brought about a sense of ownership of the document and promoted the broad consultation and participation of all participants. It also identified capacity building and the need for evaluation as a basis for further review. (Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8[1]:85-91)

 

Keywords: Sexual and reproductive health, Nigeria, curriculum, Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy

References


Population Reference Bureau. Country profiles for population and reproductive health: policy developments and indicators 2003; 70-71; and 2003 Data Sheet Highlights, 1-4.

Henshaw SK, Singh S, Oye-Adeniran BA, Adewole IF, Iwere N and Cuca YP. The incidence of induced abortion in Nigeria. IntFamPlannPersp 1998; 24(4): 156-164.

Adewole IF, Oye-Adeniran BA, Iwere N, Oladokun A, Gbadegesin A and Babarinsa IA. Contraceptive usage among abortion seekers in Nigeria. W Afr J Med 2002; 21(2): 112-114.

Odujinrin OM. Sexual activity, contraceptive practice and abortion among adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. Int J GynecolObstet 1991; 34: 361-366.

Okpani AOU and Okpani JU. Sexual activity and contraceptive usage among female adolescents: a report from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health 2000; 4(1): 40-47.

Federal Ministry of Health. National Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy to Achieve Quality Reproductive and Sexual Health for all Nigerians. Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria, July 2001.

Commonwealth Medical Association Trust. Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Medical Curriculum: Report from an Expert Consultation. London: Commonwealth Trust, 2002.

Olatunbosun OA and Edouard. L. Curriculum reform for reproductive health. Afr J Reprod Health 2002; 6(1): 15-19.

UNFPA, ICPD and ICPD+5. 10th Anniversary and Millennium Development Goals (www.unfpa.org/icpd).

International Conference on Population and Develop-ment (ICPD) 5-13 September 1994 (www.unfpa.org/icpd).

Cain JM, Donoghue GD, Magrane DM and Rusch RB. Why is it so important to ensure that women's health, gender-based competencies are woven in the fabric of undergraduate medical education? Am J ObstetGynecol 2002; 187(3 Suppl): S1-3.

Haslegrave M and Olatubosun O. Incorporating sexual and reproductive health care in the medical curriculum in developing countries. Reprod Health Matters 2003; 11(21): 49-58.

The Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy. Adopted Curriculum for Nigerian Medical Schools on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Lagos: CAUP, 2003, 1-34. © Women's Health and Action Research Centre 2004 .


Full Text: DOC

Article Metrics

Abstract View : 589 times
DOC Download : 297 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.