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  • Title: Family planning in Latvia: a blossoming flower.
    Author: Vjatere D.
    Journal: Plan Parent Eur; 1995 Aug; 24(2):31-3. PubMed ID: 12290802.
    Abstract:
    The poor state of health care in Latvia is one of the effects of 50 years of Soviet occupation that must be overcome. Latvians have a life expectancy of only 73.8 years for women and 61.6 years for men, due largely to unhealthy habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and a lack of perceived personal responsibility for health. In the area of family planning (FP), negative growth was achieved in Latvia largely through the use of abortion (49.7/1000 women of reproductive age). It is estimated that only 15% of women use hormonal contraceptives or IUDs and another 15% use condoms. Most women rely on withdrawal or the calendar method. The use of hormonal methods has been inhibited by their expense and by the fact that doctors promote fears that such methods are harmful to women's health. A further problem is that sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in Latvia, with reported cases of syphilis increasing 200% in a recent year and cases of chlamydia increasing 150%. This disease increase can be blamed on unrestricted sexual activity and on lack of interest in condoms. Work to improve FP and sexual health has been ongoing, but until the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) sponsored a seminar in 1993, the efforts were not coordinated. By February 1994, Latvia's Association for FP and Sexual Health was founded to educate the public about FP and sexual health. By May 1995, the Association published the first comprehensive pamphlet on contraception in Latvia. The Association also organizes information seminars for health care professionals and translated the IPPF's Medical and Service Delivery Guidelines for FP into Latvian. Also in 1995, a youth group was formed, and plans are underway to institute a telephone hot line. The Association's Sex Education Working Group is focused on including sex education in the general school curriculum. The Association operates with the moral support of the government and the enthusiastic backing of the people it serves.
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