The Importance of September 26 in Healthcare
Since 2007, World Contraception Day has been observed annually on September 26 with the aim of raising awareness about reproductive health worldwide. The core message of the day is built around: “the right information, the right method, a healthy future.”
Contraception is not only important for preventing unintended pregnancies, but also for protecting maternal health, ensuring babies are born healthy, reducing sexually transmitted infections, and improving the overall health level of society. For this reason, it is a professional responsibility of healthcare workers and students to have accurate, up-to-date, and evidence-based knowledge on this topic.
Methods and the Role of Healthcare Professionals
Condoms, oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), injections, implants, barrier methods, or permanent sterilization are among the options that can be chosen depending on individual needs. Each method differs in effectiveness, benefits, and possible side effects.
Healthcare professionals play a guiding role in helping individuals choose the most suitable method for themselves. Although PTR students and graduates do not provide direct contraceptive counseling, as part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, they should consider the impact of contraception on individuals’ overall health and physical functioning.
Contraception from a PTR Perspective
From a physiotherapy and rehabilitation perspective, the importance of contraception can be highlighted in the following points:
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Planned pregnancies and musculoskeletal health: Preparing for pregnancy allows the mother’s musculoskeletal system to become stronger. This enables better management of issues such as back pain, postural problems, and pelvic floor dysfunction.
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Postpartum rehabilitation: Allowing sufficient time between pregnancies helps pelvic floor muscles and the abdominal region recover. This increases the effectiveness of physiotherapists’ exercise programs.
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Mother-baby adaptation: Planned pregnancies ensure that mothers are both physically and psychologically more prepared. This facilitates rehabilitation approaches in postpartum care.
For PTR students, understanding contraception contributes to developing a conscious and holistic approach in areas such as women’s health physiotherapy, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and pregnancy-exercise programs in their future practice.
Social and Professional Responsibility
Although contraception may seem like an individual choice, its societal benefits are substantial. Planned pregnancies contribute to more efficient use of healthcare services, stronger participation of women in education and professional life, and preservation of economic resources.
The duty of healthcare professionals in this regard is to provide reliable information, break down prejudices, and offer accurate guidance. Since misinformation can spread quickly, especially among young people, the scientific approach of health professionals plays a critical role.
Education and Awareness
World Contraception Day presents an important opportunity for sharing educational materials, organizing seminars, and holding multidisciplinary meetings in health faculties and clinics.
By participating in such activities, PTR students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also have the chance to better understand the link between contraception and physical health in professional practice.
Conclusion
World Contraception Day, observed on September 26, serves as a reminder of the professional responsibilities of healthcare workers and PTR students. The conscious use of contraceptive methods protects not only individual health but also the health of society.
From a physiotherapy and rehabilitation perspective, planned pregnancies have a direct impact on musculoskeletal health, pelvic floor functions, and postpartum recovery processes. Therefore, it is essential that PTR students and professionals evaluate contraception not only as a matter of public health but also as a field connected to clinical practice.
Accurate information, the right approach, and multidisciplinary collaboration make better health possible. September 26 is a strong reminder of this awareness.
