WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS ON SEXUALITY

A growing body of knowledge indicates that problems in human sexuality are more pervasive and more important to the well being and health of individuals in many cultures than has previously been recognized, and that there are important relationships between sexual ignorance and misconceptions and diverse problems of health and the quality of life. While recognising that it is difficult to arrive at a universally acceptable definition of the totality of human sexuality, the following definition of sexual health is presented as a step in this direction:

Sexual health is the integration of the somatic, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexual being, in ways that are
positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication, and love.

Fundamental to this concept are the right to sexual information and the right to pleasure.

According to Mace, Bannerman & Burton, the concept of sexual health includes three basic elements:

1. a capacity to enjoy and control sexual and reproductive behaviour in accordance with a social and personal ethic,

2. freedom from fear, shame, guilt, false beliefs, and other psychological factors inhibiting
sexual response and impairing sexual relationship,

3. freedom from organic disorders, diseases, and deficiencies that interfere with sexual and reproductive functions.

Thus the notion of sexual health implies a positive approach to human sexuality, and the purpose of sexual health care should be the enhancement of life and personal relationships and not merely counselling and care related to procreation or sexuality transmitted diseases.