Maternal, Infant, & Sexual Health

Infant mortality is an important marker of the overall health of the community. The rate is regarded as a highly sensitive measure of population health because there is an association between the causes of infant mortality and other factors that influence health status of whole populations such as quality of the environment and access to healthcare.

Pregnancy and early life are critical times to ensure healthy development, address health risks and prevent future problems for women and their children. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict the future public health challenges for families and communities. The health of the community is also reliant on pre-conception and sexual health.

Sexual health is defined as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships as well as the freedom from coercion, discrimination, and violence.