Commentary on a community-based approach to reproductive health care. Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health Team.

Reproductive care needs to be broadened beyond maternity care and family planning to include care for gynecological and sexual problems, safe abortion services, and sex and reproductive health education. Our epidemiologic study of rural women has shown a very high prevalence of gynecological diseases. We tried to develop a community-based approach to comprehensive reproductive care by undertaking participatory research, fostering mass education with the people's involvement, and by making care available through village-based female workers and improved referral services. We end with two appeals: "MCH" needs to be replaced by WCH: not merely Maternal and Child Health but Woman and Child Health. Care should be provided through a community-based participatory approach, not through narrow technocratic vertical programs. Let people shape their own lives!