This document discusses reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents in India. It notes that over half of adolescents have never heard of RTIs/STIs and 27% report symptoms. RTIs are more common in adolescents due to immature anatomy, poor hygiene, unsafe medical practices, and lack of awareness or access to healthcare. Left untreated, RTIs/STIs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and neonatal infections. The document recommends improved hygiene, healthcare access, awareness and treatment for prevention.

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