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  • Title: [An active Romanian organization: SECS].
    Author: Pedersen B.
    Journal: Entre Nous Cph Den; 1994 May; (25):10. PubMed ID: 12222251.
    Abstract:
    Under the old regime in Romania, no contraceptives were available and the media campaigned against contraception. Abortion was only allowed for women older than 45 years who had more than 5 children or for medical reasons. Thus, women sought illegal abortions which were performed under unhygienic conditions, resulting in the highest maternal mortality rate in Europe (1.69/1000 live births). After the fall of the old regime, the abortion law was liberalized but the number of abortions remained high (4 abortions for each live birth). Maternal mortality fell considerably, however. In 1989, after the fall, 20 volunteers created the Society for Education on Contraception and Sexuality (SECS) to address all aspects of family planning: information, education, organization, and services. It became affiliated with IPPF in 1992. Initially, SECS actively supported expansion of family planning nationwide, attempted organization activities for health professionals, and to set up model family planning centers. Romania now has a national family planning program operated through maternal and child health centers. SECS operates 6 model centers, but concentrates its efforts towards information and promotion. Its main goal is to encourage practitioners to propose family planning to their patients. One of SECS' 6 model centers is in Timisoara. It serves, on average, 2400 clients/year which is a very small number considering that there are 19,200 abortions in Timisoara each year. There are 50,000 women in Timisoara who could benefit from SECS' clinic. Practitioners at government clinics have prescribed practically no contraceptives. Obstetric/gynecology clinics grant a low priority to family planning. IPPF and CEDPA support SECS. SECS receives a minimal fee from clients, which covers just 2% of incurred expenses. SECS needs to find other funding resources.
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