Adolescent Reproductive Health

By:
Deborah Anne O. Rota, RN, MAN
 Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, the learners shall:
1. Be aware of the different issues affecting
adolescent reproductive health
2. Enumerate the interventions to address
these issues
3. Identify the ways to prevent unplanned
pregnancy and STI's.
 The Adolescent Stage
• Adolescence is a period between 10-19 years
where sexual maturity develops but comes in
with social demands (WHO).
• Adolescence is a time of:
 Experimentation and curiosity.
 Increasing confidence and self-esteem.
 Increased sexual feeling
 Beginning to reproduce
 Transition from childhood to adulthood
 Enjoy life before responsibilities of adulthood begins in a way which doesn’t
affect their life.

It is one of the most crucial periods in

an individual’s life
 Common Issues Affecting Adolescent
Reproductive Health:
1. Nutrition & Micronutrient Deficiencies
2. Teenage pregnancy & childbirth
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections
 I. Nutrition and micronutrient
deficiencies
• Iron deficiency anemia was the second leading
cause of years lost by adolescents to death and
disability in 2016.
• Iron and folic acid supplements are a solution
that also helps to promote health before
adolescents become parents.
• Regular deworming in areas where intestinal
helminths such as hookworm are common is
recommended to prevent micronutrient
(including iron) deficiencies.
• VIDEO
 Activity
• What are the possible effects of unplanned
pregnancy to the mother and the baby?
 II. Teenage pregnancy and childbirth

• The leading cause of death for 15-19 year-old

girls globally is complications from pregnancy
and childbirth.
• Some 11% of all births worldwide are to girls
aged 15–19 years, and the vast majority of
these births are in low- and middle-income
countries.
• Teenage pregnancy in the
Phils
 Effects of Pregnancy to the Teenage
Mother & Baby
1. Teen pregnancies are high risk pregnancies

2. Teen pregnancies have a higher rate of

premature births- In the Philippines, DOH study shows 22 percent maternal
deaths are common among mothers aged 15 to 24 years old while 20 percent
of those who deliver at 15 to 17 years will be pregnant again in two years.

3. Higher risk of postpartum depression due to their age. They feel that
they're not yet ready for the responsibility of having a child, so they feel
overwhelmed by everything that's happening around them.

4. Young mothers with less economic support from parents lead to poor
nutrition and health care for both the mother and child.

5. Children of teen moms have neonatal death rate three times higher.
 EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN SOCIETY

• a) It is continually increasing the population

growth rate in the society.
• b) The issue encourages dropping out from
schools. Many pregnant female children end up
dropping out from school to avoid shame thus
undermining government's efforts towards
ensuring Education for All.
• c) Due to poverty, many of those involved in
teenage pregnancy die off prematurely because
of lack of proper medical attention.
 What can we do?
• Educate yourself. Educated girls can change the world.
• Bust some pregnancy myths. If you know the truth
from the facts, you’ll be much better able to protect
yourself.
• Be abstinent as much as you can. Abstinence really is
your best bet at not getting pregnant. Even the most
effective forms of birth control only work most of the
time.
• Stay away from drugs and alcohol.
• Keep yourself busy.
• Focus on your goal.
III. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
INFECTION
 Common Signs & Symptoms:
• Pus or unusual
yellowish/greenish/
grayish discharge from
the vagina, penis or
anus
• Rash, sore, blisters
around the genital
area
• Swelling
 Mode of Transmission:
• unprotected sex
• skin to skin contact
• exchange of body fluids
• can be passed from mother to child

 Every sexual activity is an opportunity to get a

variety of STI. Condoms do not cover
everything.
 A person who has engaged in sexual activity is
encouraged to see a doctor for STI assessment.
PREVENTION