ABSTRACT

Brady, Martha. 2003. "Preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy, and safeguarding fertility: Triple protection needs of young women," Reproductive Health Matters 11(22): 134–141. (offsite link)

The problems and risks of unprotected sex, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections are inextricably linked. In this context, the critical yet overlooked problem of infertility also needs to be addressed. Dual protection means concurrent protection against unintended pregnancy and STIs/HIV. This paper argues for a more comprehensive notion of “triple protection” to include the safeguarding of fertility. This is intended explicitly to draw out the connection between infertility and STIs—using the “visibility” of fertility and infertility and people's immediate connection with them—and in so doing to bolster STI prevention and control efforts. It could also serve to highlight the connections between infertility and unsafe abortion and delivery practices, which still exist in many developing countries. Understanding differences in perception and weighting of protection concerns by young women and men, whether they wish to start, postpone, or avoid pregnancy, is essential for the creation of effective programs. Building on efforts to promote dual protection, a strategic opportunity exists to include prevention of infertility into safer sex messages and to address the fragmentation of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programs.

Return to HIV and AIDS Prevention Publications/Resources page

---