"Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A Multicountry Study on Self-care in Young People" explores the growing importance of self-care as a vital tool for promoting Universal Health Coverage (UHC), preventing disease, and managing illness. With or without the support of healthcare providers, individuals, families, and communities are increasingly embracing self-care, especially with the rise of digital healthcare technologies. This book underscores the global shift towards self-care practices that leave no one behind, ensuring access to preventive, promotive, and palliative care for all.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgency of self-care, as individuals took proactive steps to reduce the risk of infection and manage their health. This study dives deeply into the role of self-care in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), addressing critical questions such as: What defines self-care? Why is it gaining importance? Which populations should be prioritized? What interventions are most effective? And how can the global self-care agenda move forward?
This qualitative research study spans Mexico, India, the USA, and Nigeria, examining young people's experiences with self-care for SRHR. It covers key interventions such as contraceptive self-injection, self-medication for abortion, pregnancy testing, and STI self-screening. The book provides key insights into the motivations behind adopting self-care practices and identifies the challenges and opportunities in advancing self-care worldwide through comparisons across countries.
This book is an essential read for policymakers, researchers, healthcare providers, and advocates. It offers a roadmap for expanding self-care practices and ensuring equitable access to SRHR for youth everywhere.