SMOKING: CULPRIT OF ALL EVIL

Of all major factors that lead to the development of non-communicable diseases (Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Bronchial Asthma, etc.), smoking is the most common and poses significant danger to the health of most people. The danger are not only for those who are active smokers, but also those who are exposed to second-hand smoke. (Cuevas, 2007, Public Health Nursing in the Philippines)

As relation to reproductive health, this article tackles about SMOKING AS A RISK FACTOR OF CANCER.

There are different types of cancer, it is not a single disease. Cancer develops when cell in part of the body begin to grow out of control. Normal body cells grow, divide, and die in orderly fashion. Cancer cells, however, continue to outgrow and divide even when there is no need to do so. Instead of dying they outlive normal cells and continue to form new abnormal cells. Cancer cells often travel to other parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue also know as metastasis.

Most of different types of cancer is associated with lifestyle specifically SMOKING. Types of cancer that smoking or tobacco use is a significant risk factor are LUNG CANCER, ORAL CANCER , LARYNGEAL CANCER, BLADDER CANCER, RENAL CANCER, ESOPHAGEAL CANCER and even CERVICAL CANCER.

This disease may alter the sexual pattern of some couples that may lead to unsatisfying sex. Unsatisfying sex with their partner may result to infidelity, the partner may look for other people that can satisfy their needs. Therefore as responsible citizens we should promote healthy lifestyle to prevent this from occurring. Health is not only the responsibility of the health care team, but it is the responsibility of every person --- every Filipino.

In health promotion and disease prevention each individual should first be knowledgeable or informed about such cases. Here are facts about Cigarette smoke/tobacco:
HARMFUL SUBSTANCES

• TAR- the particulate matter left when water and nicotine are removed from cigarette smoke, contains hydrocarbons and other carcinogenic substances. Tar is deposited in lung passages, paralyzes the cleaning mechanisms (cilia) and damages the air sacs (alveoli).
• NICOTINE- also a particulate, causes release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in arrhythmias , increased heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, contractility, oxygen consumption, and coronary blood flow. It is also an addicting substance
• CARBON MONOXIDE- reduces oxygen carrying capacity of the blood causing hypoxia, because it competes with oxygen and has greater affinity for hemoglobin.

Tobacco contains more than 4000 chemicals, 43 of which have been proven to be carcinogenic (agent capable of causing cancer). Some of these toxic chemicals and gases include the following:

ACETONE - used in nail polish
ACETIC ACID - used in vinegar
AMMONIA - used in food and toilet cleaners
ARSENIC - used to make rat poison
BUTANE - used in cigarette lighter fluid
CADMIUM - used in rechargeable batteries
CARBON MONOXIDE - found in exhaust fumes
FORMALDEHYDE - used to preserve dead bodies
HEXAMINE - used in lighter fluid
HYDROGEN CYANIDE - used in gas chambers
METHANE - used like gasoline
NAPHTHALENE - used to make moth balls
NICOTINE - used in insecticide
NITROBENZENE - used as gasoline additive
NITROUS OXIDE - used as disinfectant
DDT/DIELDRIN -used in insecticide
ETHANOL - alcohol
STEARIC ACID - used in candle wax
TOULENE -used as industrial solvent
VINYL CHLORIDE - used to make PVC pipe

(PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING IN THE PHILIPPINES, CUEVAS, ET. AL.,2007)

SMOKING IS CULPRIT OF ALL EVIL, WHAT EVER REASON YOU HAVE, EVEN YOU DENY OR HIDE IT, STILL, IT WILL FIND YOU, WORST IS, IT WILL KILL YOU!

PHILIPPINE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

NOTE: This is not specific to the reproductive health BILL, it talks about the REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN THE PHILIPPINES including its ELEMENTS.

The Philippine is one of the signatory country to the International Conference Plan of Action of Reproductive Health in Cairo in 1994. To support the effective implementation of the program, the Department of Health issued AO 1-A s.1998 establishing the Philippine Reproductive Health which define the RH service package consisting of 10 elements that include Family Planning. In order to strengthen reproductive health AO 43, s.1999 was issued adopting reproductive health policy to integrate RH service in all health facilities as part of the basic package of health services and thus ensuring a more efficient and effective referral system from primary to tertiary, public and private facilities.
In 2004, harmonization and integration if the various approaches and different efforts in relation to women's health and reproductive health, it came up with integrated Reproductive Health and Women's Health Framework with an overall goal of achieving "BETTER QUALITY LIFE AMONG FILIPINOS".
It's main objectives are:

• Reducing Maternal Mortality Rate
• Reducing Child Mortality
• Halting and reversing spread of HIV/AIDS
• Increasing access to Reproductive Health Information and Services

There are 10 ELEMENTS very crucial on reproductive Health. These are:

      1. FAMILY PLANNING

Family Planning (FP) is the foremost interventions in attaining RH. It allows couples to freely decide on the number and proper spacing of births. It is one of the 10 elements selected as a response to the needs of men and women of reproductive age. The horizontal approach to the RH program ensures that the client is given health care and services in a holistic manner thus making the patient a client centered taking into consideration on particular needs.

      2. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Family Planning is one of the pillars of the Safe Motherhood program. The goal attaining the optimum maternal and child health and nutrition can be achieved through the use of safe and effective family planning methods. Proper birth spacing of three to five years will give the mother ample time to regain her health and to render proper care to her newborn and other older children. The risk of pregnancy can be avoided. Thus, maternal, neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality can be reduced.

      3. PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE TRACT INFECTIONS (RTIs)INCLUDING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) AND HIV/AIDS

FP is the central focus to prevent reproductive tract infections especially on sexually transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS. Risk assessment of RTIs is part of determining the client's eligibility for FP methods. Clients who are at risk contracting STIs may need dual protection through the use of FP methods such as condom, aside from being an effective means preventing the spread of STIs. Education of people prevent RTIs and reduce the incidence of secondary infertility due to blocked fallopian tube.

      4. ADOLESCENT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (ARH)

Fertility awareness, human sexuality and counseling are basic services which help promote responsible sexuality among adolescents. These are very critical among the young adult to understand reproductive health.

      5. PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF ABORTION AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

The major causes of maternal deaths are complications from unsafe abortion as consequences as unplanned pregnancy. Preventing unwanted pregnancy through FP reduces maternal deaths. Proper management of complications includes medical treatment and FP counseling and services.

      6. PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF BREAST AND REPRODUCTIVE TRACT CANCERS AND OTHER GYNECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Breast and other reproductive tract cancers and major concerns in public health. The provision of FP services provide an opportunity for screening and detection of breast and reproductive tract cancers. Moreover, combined oral contraceptives are proven to reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers. Routine cancer screening  offer clients opportunity to choose various FP methods when further diagnostic work ups have to be undertaken to establish diagnosis.
     
      7-8. EDUCATION AND COUNSELING ON SEXUALITY AND SEXUAL HEALTH, MEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (MRH) AND INVOLVEMENT

Sexuality Education is a basic component of FP. FP counseling and providing correct information on sexuality will help reduce unwanted pregnancies.

      9. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Domestic violence mostly occur in women and children. It is recognized now as important social and public health issues. One of the most common forms is sexual violence. This provides an opportunity to discuss and promote family planning.

      10. PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF INFERTILITY AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION





Source: PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING IN THE PHILIPPINES, CUEVAS, ET.AL, 2007

DISSEMINATION INFORMATION OR DECEPTION

Look at this priest or rather listen to what he is saying!
I saw this video in one of the pages of Pro RH bill advocates. I am just so amazed and shock of all the things or rather LIES that he said. 

First, Saying that the RH BILL (as the main topic of this video) is against the pro-life standards as members of Roman Catholic Church.

-I am not a Roman Catholic neither against them but the issue here is, who is he to represent the people or members of the RC, and give such MISINFORMATION to the people. As I quote what Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said, "Bakit? Matataas ba ang IQ ng mga Pari? For me, it is very dangerous to a person to say that "I know what God wants" Really? bakit may cellphone ba sya?". I know, some of the priests have gifts of prophecies, but is it really prophecy that they are practicing or just merely their0 own opinions.

Second, RH bill as culture of Death.

-As what we've heard, this priest only HEARD about the RH bill, he didn't even read it? Maybe that's why he is giving such misinformation. He didn't even know that RH bill is Pro choice and most of all Pro-life. As part of the guiding principle of the bill, it stated that abortion will remain a crime and punishable by law. If this priest further read the bill, he will know that the bill is promoting Informed choice (defined as -Couples and individuals are fully informed of the methods of their choice including side effects, advantages, disadvantages) to every Filipino and let them choose whatever methods they want, and all of the methods stated in the bill, may it be natural or modern are all NOT ABORTIFACIENT.

Two Child Policy

-Indeed, he wasn't able to read the bill, if he does, he knows that in SECTION 20 (correction of SECTION 16 as what is in the video) also known as the IDEAL FAMILY SIZE, the statement there is:

"The State shall assist couples, parents and individuals to achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible parenthood for sustainable development and encourage them to have two children as the ideal family size. Attaining the ideal family size is neither mandatory nor compulsory. No punitive action shall be imposed on parents having more than two children."

-It is termed IDEAL because it is neither mandatory nor compulsory!
-Where did this priest get his standards of family size for Filipinos? What is his basis in saying that? Does he has a reliable source for that? or he is just saying his own opinion base on what he sees on the street?
-and as quote from an RH BILL advocate, "RH BILL is not just a question of life, it is a question of integrity of life, what good if a big family or a big population if it is hungry!"

Sex Education

-First, it is SEXUALITY EDUCATION. Second, read the bill, because it is stated that:

SEC. 16. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education

Age-appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education shall be taught by adequately trained teachers in formal and non-formal educational system starting from Grade Five up to Fourth Year High School using life-skills and other approaches. Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education shall commence at the start of the school year immediately following one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act to allow the training of concerned teachers. The Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH) shall formulate the Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education curriculum. Such curriculum shall be common to both public and private schools, out of school youth, and enrollees in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) based on, but not limited to, the following, the psycho-social and the physical wellbeing, the demography and reproductive health, and the legal aspects of reproductive health.
Age-appropriate reproductive health and sexuality education shall be integrated in all relevant subjects and shall include, but not limited to, the following topics:

“(a) Values formation;

“(b) Knowledge and skills in self protection against discrimination, sexual violence and abuse, and teen pregnancy;

“(c) Physical, social and emotional changes in adolescents;

“(d) Children’s and women’s rights;

“(e) Fertility awareness;

“(f) STI, HIV and AIDS;

“(g) Population and development;

“(h) Responsible relationship;

“(i) Family planning methods;

‘(j) Proscription and hazards of abortion;

“(k) Gender and development; and

“(l) Responsible parenthood.

The DepEd, CHED, DSWD, TESDA, and DOH shall provide concerned parents with adequate and relevant scientific materials on the age-appropriate topics and manner of teaching reproductive health education to their children.
 
-In RH bill, we teach the student how to say no to sex not to have sex! As Senator Santiago said, If we are knowledgeable about the effects of these things, the greater the possibility that we will not be involve in it, especially if we know that the result will be miserable.

To be continued!

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH including FAMILY PLANNING

Here are some questions that we should know about the Reproductive Health. Some questions that will give us more knowledge about the RH. Let us be more knowledgeable about this issue before we do some comments in the things that we only hear, referring to that "priest" that give such misinformation to people.

What is the overall goal of Reproductive Health and Women's Health?

     -Better quality of life among Filipinos

What is an Informed Choice/ Voluntarism?

     -Couples and individuals are fully informed of the methods of their choice including side effects, advantages, disadvantages

What is the convergence thrust of RH intends to secure greater and better sustained investment in health?

     - Health Financing

What is that RH determinant where women are allowed to participate and exercise their domestic role?

     -Gender and a social issue

Women have the right to be free from torture and ill treatment and the right to participate in political arena is what of an RH determinant?

     -Status and Women

When couples are free to decide on the timing of pregnancies and the size of their families in pursuit of a better life is what pillar of family planning?

     -Responsible Parenthood

What does Reproductive Health implies?

     -People are able to have satisfying safe sex life

     -Control and freedom over sexual relations including protection from reproductive infection and from harmful reproductive practice and violence.

What is an emerging element of reproductive health?

     -Violence against Men

In the proposed RH bill at what age shall RH be taught in school?

     -Grade 5 to 4th year high school using skills and other approaches

Where does usually adolescent first experienced sexual encounter as based on YAPSIP survey?
     -Home

What is the focused of reproductive health at the international level?

      -Women

Which family method has the highest percentage of effectiveness?

     -Voluntary Surgical Contraception

Which of the reversible family planning method has effectiveness for 12 years?

     -Intrauterine Device (IUD) 

Source: A1 Passers Training, Research, Review and Development Company, Final Coaching Bullets in Community Health Nursing.

I'm open for questions that may be bothering all of you about the RH. I will try my best to answer all your questions not only with my own opinion but with reliable source

SPONSORSHIP SPEECH

THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT, PART 1: PRIMARY OF CONSCIENCE IN CATHOLIC THEOLOGY

This is the title of the first part of sponsorship speech of senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago as principal author of the senate bill 2865, also known as the "An act providing for a national policy on reproductive health and population and development". It is the senate version of the House Bill 4244.

In this first part of her speech, simply, Sen. Miriam imposes the religion matters especially the "Catholic faith" in regards with the bill. The senator also used her knowledge about the "Liberation Theology" and other natural laws existing in this world.

The 2nd part of her speech, Sen. Miriam tackled about the CONSTITUTIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS.  It includes about the prohibition in the constitution, the rights to privacy, information, and parents over child education.

SOCIOECONOMIC was the topic on the 3rd part of Sen. Miriam's sponsorship speech. It include statistics on maternal health stating that 11 mothers die because of maternal complications everyday, the abortion scare that prove that contraceptives are not abortifacient, the youth education on RH, the Philippine demographics and its implications and other statistical surveys made by different organizations.

For her conclusion of her sponsorship speech, and I quote:

Conclusion : Marketplace of Ideas

          Allow me to conclude with one of the most famous quotes in the history of the law, written by the superlative Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.:[1]

            But when men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas – that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon which their wishes safely can be carried out.  That at any rate is the theory of our Constitution.  It is an experiment, as all life is an experiment.

source: NEWSBLOG  MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO

SENATE BILL 2865

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

SENATE
S.B. No. 2865

(In substitution of SB 2378 and 2768, taking into consideration PSR 238)

 

Prepared Jointly by the Committees on Health and Demography; Finance; and Youth,
Women and Family Relations with Senators Defensor-Santiago, Lacson and (P.)
Cayetano as authors

 

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH AND POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

 

http://www.likhaan.org/content/15th-congress-senate-bill-2865-consolidated-bill-sb-2865

SOONER TO PASS

The House Bill 4244 also known as the consolidated Reproductive Health Bill entitled "The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011." authored by Rep. Edcel Lagman and Rep. Janette Garin is now on senate co-sponsored by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.



Hoping and praying that the Catholic Church will not anymore contradict. I'm not an anti catholic, I am a Christian, but I just hope that they will realize that their opposition doesn't speak in the majority of the Catholics. 


Hoping and Praying that they will respect the separation of the state and the church.


Hoping and Praying that the will be pass soon.