A reproductive health needs assessment in Myanmar

A Reproductive Health Needs Assessment in Myanmar
(again excluding traditional birth attendants, the level of training of whom is unclear) in
1991, and 56 per cent in 1997.
Birth spacing
Birth spacing services have been available through the public sector only since 1991. The
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and Family Planning International Assistance (FPIA) are currently supporting public
sector birth spacing services in 117 of Myanmar’s 320 townships (MOH 1997). The Myanmar
Maternal and Child Welfare Association, a national non-governmental organization (NGO), also
provides limited but critical services in some townships, distributing condoms and pills, and
providing training courses in birth spacing education. Approximately 35 per cent of the
population are believed to have no access to public sector primary health care services of any
kind. Considering this background, it is not surprising that the largest provider of health services
in Myanmar, including those related to birth spacing, is the private sector. Data concerning the
specific content, quality and coverage of these services is extremely limited.
Women in Myanmar have traditionally spaced their births primarily through the use of
breastfeeding (Thein Thein Htay 1996), although many are now using modern contraceptive
methods. The most easily procured, and therefore the most widely used methods, are injectable
and oral hormonal contraceptives. There is limited use of long-term methods of contraception:
sterilization is only available after approval from a board through a process that can take many
months; and intrauterine device (IUD) use to date has been limited. The condom is the only
method available in Myanmar for dual protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections, and its access is highly limited.
RTI/STDs
The Department of Health’s STD control programme co-ordinates a network of 36 STD teams
that operate in 25 townships throughout the country. In these townships the teams are
responsible for STD surveillance, treatment, and contact tracing.
Youth
Although health education with a component on sexuality has been made available to some
adolescents through “school based-curriculum” (i.e. optional) classes, few other interventions
have been directed at unmarried adolescents who have sexual health needs related to preventing
unwanted pregnancies or infections that are not being met by the current constellation of
services.
Current activities of international organisations and NGOs in Myanmar
There are a number of international organizations and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) active in the area of reproductive health in Myanmar. Below is a brief description of
their activities in this field. This is also presented in the three tables in Annexes I, II and III.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP has a mandate to enact programmes that will have a grassroots level impact.
Activities under the Human Development Initiative have been implemented since 1994. The
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