Reproductive System & Sexual Disorders: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-038X
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2161-038X
+44 1300 500008
Hifsa Altaf
Maries Stopes Society, Pakistan
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Reprod Syst Sex Disord
Environemental and occupational risk factors adversly affect the health and performance of rural women. Research aims to identify risk factors related to women reproductive health in age group of 15-40 years working in agricultural sector and interventions to prevent hazradous effects. Sindh is province of Pakistan with total land area of 14.1 million hectares (mha). The cultivated area is 5.88 mha and net sown area is 2.39 mha. According to 1998 census, population of Sindh was 30.4 million and 51% live in rural area. Hatri is union council of Taluka Hyderabad (rural) of Sindh with population of 29,719. Fazal Baghul is a village of union council Hatri with population of 1,019, female population is 510. Survey revelead that 40% of women work in agriculture filed, livestock, poultry and cottage industry. The adverse impact of work related risks causing women reproductive health issues are exposure to hazardous chemicals used in agricuture (pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides), accidents/physical injuries caused by tools used during cultivation and mal-nutrition due to overwork and poverty. The study revealed that 50% of women suffer from reproductive tract infection, 30% from anemia and 16% have hormonal imbalance and stress problems and 4% has breathing and other issues. Survey team with the community stakeholders provided free medical check-ups and treatment, diagnostic refral points for laboratory investigation, iron suppliments, protective masks for field work and reproductive health awarness to the clients. To cope with the issues political commitment, government agility, community invovement and role of CSOs is seriously needed.
Hifsa Altaf is a Public Health Professional with over 14 years of experience in “Family planning and reproductive, maternal and community health”. She has international field experience, primarily in Asian countries, working with leading reproductive health & family planning organization “Marie Stopes Society (MSS) Pakistan”. As a General Manager, she leads the quality component of the MSS Pakistan program along with supporting programs in London and other Asian countries. She has been a speaker at numerous international health forums such as Urban Health Conference in San Francisco, USA.
Email: shahhifsa686@yahoo.com