The presentation provides information about the most affected groups of people who are at risk of having reproductive health problems.

1. Most affected groups by
Reproductive Health
Problems
Presentedby
Govinda Rokka
ManjeetaThakuri
Pratigya Kayastha
BPH 5th Batch, MMIHS

2. • Reproductive health refers to a state of physical,
mental and social wellbeing and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity in all matters
relating to the reproductive system and to its
functions and processes, and across all stages of
life.

3. The affected groups includes:
i)Women
ii)Young people
iii)People with disability
iv)LGBTI
v)Sex Workers
vi) People from refugee and culturally diverse group
vii)Older People
viii)Prisoners

4. Reasons of women being most vulnerable
group
Women
Physically, not as
strong as men
Biological
phenomenon ( as
menstruation,
pregnancy,
miscarriages,
lactation)
Hindrances to
women
empowerment
including socio-
cultural
backwardness.
Physically, not as strong as men
Biological phenomenon
(as menstruation, pregnancy, miscarriages, lactation)
Hindrances to women empowerment including socio-cultural beliefs
and traditions.
Division of labour
Political factors

5. Common Reproductive Health Concerns
for Women
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Gynecologic cancer
• STDs and HIV/AIDS
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility
• Sexual violence including female genital mutilation
• Menopausal syndrome

6. Young People
• It is a critical time for the development of sexual identity and
interpersonal relationships, and the onset of sexual attraction
and related behaviors.
• RH problems are shaped by a range of social determinants and
behavioral risk factors, including homelessness, substance
use, and mental disorder,etc.
• Reproductive health problems includes STIs,HIV &
AIDS,cervical cancer,breast cancer,unsafe abortion,teenage
pregnancy,etc

7. People with disability
• An estimated 10%of the world’s population live with a
disability. These people have the same sexual and
reproductive health needs as other people.(UNFPA,2009)
• Sexual and reproductive needs of persons with disabilities
are often overlooked or neglected.
• People with disabilities are also more likely to be victims
of physical and sexual abuse and rape.

8. LGBTI
• Sexual and reproductive ill health disproportionately affects
gay, lesbian,bisexual,transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people.
Experiences of discrimination can impact negatively on sexual
health and wellbeing, contributing to the underutilization of
health services.
• Common problems experienced by them by STIs,HIV & AIDS,
under utilization of health services,etc.

9. Sex workers
• Sexual and reproductive health needs of sex workers have
been neglected both in research and public health
interventions, which have almost exclusively focused on
STI/HIV prevention.
• Frequent unsafe sex with multiple partners also places female
sex workers at elevated risk of HIV and sexually transmitted
infections (STIs).
• Vulnerable young women—most of whom retire by age 30—
are typically of reproductive age and extremely vulnerable to
unintended pregnancy.

10. People from refugee and culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds
• There is significant variation in the sexual and reproductive
health outcomes among people from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Many experience poor sexual and reproductive health
outcomes due to the underutilization of sexual health
services, lack of knowledge, and social stigma associated with
discussions of sexuality.
• Research has suggested that HIV-related stigma and
discrimination is common among many CALD communities

11. • Immigrant and refugee women are also at a greater risk of
suffering poorer maternal and child health outcomes; are less
likely to have adequate information about modern contraceptive
methods; are at greater risk of contracting STIs; and are less likely
to use primary health services.
• Young women from refugee backgrounds experience elevated
rates of teenage pregnancy relative to other young women.

12. Older people
• Many older adults remain sexually active, yet most
educational campaigns designed to prevent sexually
transmitted diseases target younger generations.
• Women may experience gynecological problems throughout
their reproductive years and beyond, and are at risk from
symptoms associated with hormonal changes, heart disease
and stroke, gynecological malignancies, osteoporosis, and
various genitourinary conditions.
• Post-menopausal changes to the lining of the vagina may
also increase susceptibility to STIs.
• Most reproductive and sexual health disorders are more
common as men age, and many of these conditions are linked
with chronic health conditions.

13. Prisoners
• Prisoners are a high-risk group in terms of their sexual health,
exposure to STIs, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors.
• Intersex, trans and gender diverse prisoners are frequent and
visible targets for discrimination, violence, and sexual assault.

14. References
• https://ama.com.au/position-statement/sexual-and-
reproductive-health-2014
• http://www.unfpa.org/publications/promoting-sexual-and-
reproductive-health-persons-disabilities
• https://www.popcouncil.org/uploads/pdfs/2015HIV_Banglades
hFSWbrief.pdf