Establishing reproductive health education and counselling in
military services: The Turkish model
S Gungor1, B Bakir2, A Akyuz3,
E Gocgeldi2, CH Acikel2, T Kaya3, M Gulec2, M Hasde2, A
Temiztugay4, R Gul4, H Bebis3, R Pabuccu7, G Yildirimkaya5, T Tuzer5, E Elci5, D
Sen6, AB Albrectsen5
1Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Dept. Obstetrics&Gynecology,
Ankara, Turkey, 2Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Dept. Public Health, Ankara,
Turkey, 3Gulhane Military Medical Academy, School of Nursery, Ankara, Turkey,
4Directorate of Mother-Child Health&Family Planning, Ministry of Health,
Ankara, Turkey, 5UNFPA, Office of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey, 6Gulhane Military
Medical Academy, Dean of School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, 7Ufuk University,
Dept. Ufuk University, Dept. Obstetrics&Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey
Background Ministry of Health, Mother and Child Health
and Family Planning General Directorate; Turkey Field Office of UNFPA, and
Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GMMA) of Turkish Armed Forces have been
conducting a project to increase male concern and participation in sexual and
reproductive health in a positive and supporting way.
Methods Specialist physicians and nurses from military
hospitals were trained by Ministry of Health trainers (October 2002- September
2003) by one-week courses on interactive training skills. Primary physicians,
nurses and medical petty officers were trained as field trainers and counselors
(March 2003-April 2004). Training rooms with standardized training material were
established in all of the military garrisons. Soldiers were given the one-day
participatory course. Trained medical staff also provided individual counseling
and services. All training rooms were coded and connected to Reproductive Health
Network established within the Intranet of Army. Reproductive Health activities
were included in the regular supervision scheme of the army.
Results Since April 2004 740.000 soldiers were given the
one-day course. A total of 4000 military medical staff as Trainers. A total of
580 training rooms were established. Twenty of Military Hospitals became a
center of reproductive health training and service delivery.
Conclusion
Since large-scale intervention is necessary to reach male
population, the army seems to be the best possible venue in Turkey. Although
there are still many challenges ahead, the experiences of the partners of this
project can be invaluable to other countries all around the world.