1. RTI
Reproductive Tract Infections
STI
Sexually Transmitted infections

2. Reproductive Health Indicators
• 28% used sanitary napkin
• Uneducated and poor women less likely to use
sanitary napkin
• 16% have menstrual problems
• More than half (55%) have never heard about
RTI/STI
• 27% have symptoms of RTI/STI
• Only half of these sought treatment

3. Types of RTI
• Endogenous infection
• Iatrogenic Infection
• Sexually transmitted infection

4. Increased RTI in adolescents
• Vaginal and cervical epithelium in adolescents
is immature.
• Poor hygiene practices
• Unsafe delivery and abortion
• Lack of awareness of disease and prevention
• Lack of access to services

5. Why it affects girls more
• Asymptomatic infections are more common in
girls as compared to boys
• Diagnosis of infections is more difficult in girls
than in boys
• Spread of infection to the genital tract is
greater in girls

6. symptoms of RTIs/STIs
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Pain during sexual intercourse

7. Factors that increase the risk of
RTIs/STIs
• Adolescent girl pregnant or recently delivered
(more so if a home delivery)
• History of recent abortion, spontaneous or
induced, especially unsafe abortion
• Adolescent girl using an IUCD

8. Consequences of RTIs and STIs for
adolescents
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Urethral stricture
• Infertility
• Neonatal/Intrauterine infections

9. Prevention of RTIs
• Genital hygiene
• Menstrual hygiene- use of sanitary napkin and
frequent changing
• Avoid vaginal douching
• Seeking help early
• Ensuring complete treatment of self and sexual partner
• Opting for institutional delivery or home delivery by a
trained birth attendant
• Availing safe abortion services
• Awareness among adolescents and community