RSU study shows negative trends in sexual and reproductive health in Latvia

Discussion agenda and further information

‘Sexual and reproductive health is important for the health and well-being of both society and the individual. Yet in Latvia, it is still undeservedly a priority in the health and education sectors,’

outlines the leader of the study, Director of the RSU Institute of Public Health, Assoc. Prof. Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne.

‘There has been no noticeable improvement in the sexual and reproductive health of the population since 2011, which is when the last study of this kind was carried out.

Making this topic a priority would therefore be extremely necessary.’

The survey data shows the following tendencies:

• people in Latvia prefer unsafe contraceptive methods;
• people do not use condoms during casual sexual encounters, thereby exposing themselves to the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies;
• a significant proportion of the population believes that cancer screenings are not necessary;
• only a third of the population has sufficient knowledge about HIV infection;
• more than a third of the population has experienced at least one unplanned pregnancy;
• one in ten women smoked during pregnancy;
• only half of the population has discussed sexual and reproductive health with their children;
• only a third of the population believes that they received sufficient information on sexual and reproductive health in school.

The MoH stresses that the findings of the study will help plan more effective evidence-based policies, preventive measures, and activities to promote and improve health outcomes, including those related to sexual and reproductive health. The study indicates that 

there is a need to raise people's awareness of the importance of regular health check-ups for preventive health, the establishment of safe and respectful relationships, the significance of proper contraception, and the negative impact of substance abuse on the health of both parents and the unborn child.

Special attention needs to be paid to educating children and young people in the family and in educational institutions, as the lack of reliable information and insufficient skills are the most common reasons for unplanned pregnancies, induced abortions, and the spread of sexually transmitted infections among minors. 

The survey covered more than 4,000 Latvian residents aged 15-64 from September 2020 to May 2023. The research team included a wide range of experts, from public health specialists and medical statisticians to medical professionals directly involved in the diagnosis and management of sexual and reproductive problems, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations and public relations specialists who work in this field. Researchers also analysed guidelines and policy documents related to sexual and reproductive health adopted in Latvia after 2011, as well as reproductive health indicators available in statistical databases.

The study was carried out within the framework of the European Social Fund project Complex Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Measures (No 9.2.4.1./16/I/001) implemented by the MoH. The final report of the study is available on the MoH website (in Latvian).

The meeting on 18 January covered topics such as next steps in improving sexual and reproductive health in Latvia and planned research, the experience of the UK and Finland, family planning, violence, and other relevant issues.