Concept of Sexual &
Reproductive Health
Problems
Sadia Chowdhury, MSc, MSS
Sadia.chowdhury@northsouth.edu
Lecturer
Department of Public Health
North South University
Sexual health
A state of physical, emotional, mental
and social well-being related to sexuality
Not merely the absence of disease,
dysfunction or sickness
Reproductive health
People are able to have a satisfying and
safe sex life
Have the capability to reproduce and the
freedom to decide if, when and how
often to do so
Important issues related to
SRH
Body integrity and to sexual safety
Eroticism
Gender
Sexual orientation
Emotional attachment
Reproduction
Sexual health problems, STI and
STD
Sexual health problem: The result of conditions, either in
an individual, a relationship or a society, that require
specific action for their identification, prevention and
treatment
Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
An infection is often the first step of a disease
Occurs when either bacteria, viruses or microbes enter
the body and start multiplying
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)
Disruption of normal body function or structure, especially
when signs and symptoms appear, is considered disease
STI
Has a significant probability of
transmission between humans by means
of sexual behavior including vaginal
intercourse, oral sex and anal sex
A person may be infected, and may
potentially infect others, without showing
signs of disease
Types of STIs
Bacterial
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Viral
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B virus)
Herpes simplex, Human Papilloma Virus
Fungal
yeast infection
Parasites
Scabies
Facts on STIs
In many cultures, sexual morals prevent to
deal openly and honestly with sexual issues
360 million new cases of curable STIs occur
annually throughout the world (WHO, 2010)
In developing countries, STIs and their
complications rank in the top five disease
categories
About 60% of these infections occur in
young people <25 years of age,
and of these 30% are <20 years.
Between the ages of 14 and 19
STIs occur more frequently in girls than boys
by a ratio of nearly 2:1
STIs-symptoms
Symptoms may not appear immediately
after infection
Disease can be carried with no symptoms
A window period - after initial infection
during which an STI test will be negative
During this period the infection may be
transmissible
Some untreated STIs can lead to infertility,
chronic pain or even death
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
Symptomatic
Asymptomatic
STIs-diagnosis
Diagnostic test
To determine the cause of symptoms or illness
(discharge, sores or rash, pain while passing urine,
itching or burning sensation)
Screening test
To detect asymptomatic infections (unsafe sex,
worried they have an STI, share needles)
A check prior to or during pregnancy to prevent
harm to the baby
To prevent donation of infected blood or organs
STIs: Some facts
STIs can also be passed to a baby during
pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding
HIV/Hepatitis B can also be transmitted:
unclean surgical instruments
Injection needles, skin cutting tools,
transfusions of infected blood
HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and genital herpes
are viruses and CANNOT be cured
Consequences of STIs
Infertility
Chronic pelvic pain
Spontaneous abortion
Ectopic pregnancy
Cardiovascular and neurological complications
Even death
Psychological Consequences- Typical reactions of
guilt and shame often prevent young people from
seeking treatment timely
Challenges
No services for adolescents
Reluctance to discuss sexual matters
Lack of access; no knowledge as to where to go
for information/service
No confidentiality, privacy from providers;
reluctance to undergo examination; judgmental
attitudes
STIs-prevention
The most effective way is to avoid contact of
body parts or fluids which can transmit
infection
Proper use of condoms reduces contact and risk
Laboratory test
Vaccine - available to protect against some
viral STIs such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B
Condoms - only provide protection when used
properly as a barrier, and only to and from the
area that it covers
STIs-prevention
Abstinence most effective means of
protection against pregnancy and STIs
Abstinence is being able to say no to sex
and communicating this to ones partner
One should not feel guilty about decision
to be abstinent
it's OK to say no.
