Understanding the Difference Between
Reproductive Health for Refugees
and
Reproductive Health
What's the difference between RHR and RH? To understand reproductive
health for refugees (RHR) first, it is essential to understand the basics
of reproductive health (RH).
RH is the leading cause of healthy life lost among women of reproductive age (15-45 years old). RH is also an important cause of healthy life lost among men. Finally, RH problems can take a high psychosocial health toll.
Although research on RHR is scarce,
some studies have been done and this
area of research is receiving increased
attention. See the RHRC
Conference 2003 Proceedings 
for
recent findings on RHR.
It is important to analyze the difference in RH for refugees within the framework of the four technical areas of RH:
Maternal/Newborn Care, including emergency
obstetrics
Certain studies show that
poor pregnancy outcomes are common among
refugees but not necessarily more common
than women who deliver their babies
at home. Some evidence also shows that
refugees may have better access to
health services, such as antenatal care
and transport to emergency obstetric
services, than the local population.
In some situations, this increased
access may extend to the local population.
Family Planning
A CDC study in 2000 demonstrated that nearly 80% of refugee women in
stable camps had used at least three different family planning methods
in the prior six years. Some refugee settings have seen an increase
in teen pregnancies. Overall, there is no common fertility pattern among
refugees in the long term and that fertility is affected by standard
socio-demographic factors. In addition, demand for family planing among
refugees is affected by previous knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP)
surveys and access, availability and quality of services.
Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS
The effects of movement, military and proximity to war all have a negative
impact on refugees. War promotes transmission of STIs including HIV/AIDS
through displacement and military presence. STIs/HIV/AIDS is known to
spread from a high prevalence to a low prevalence population, not necessarily
from refugees to the local population.
Gender-based violence
Rape and domestic violence among war-affected populations are common
but data is not available to compare to a settled population. It is
clear that refugees experience at least the same amount if not more
family and economic disturbances, a change in the social roles of men
and women, and the use of rape as a weapon of war.
Conclusion
RH is important because it is a human right and a leading cause of
morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age. In regard to
Maternal/Newborn Care and family planning, the main difference between RHR
and RH lies in the access/availability and quality of services. Concerning
STIs/HIV/AIDS, the movement that refugees experience and their proximity
to conflict areas tends to increase the spread of STIs/HIV/AIDS and
gender-based violence. See our resources section for an overview
of RH.
