Need for reproductive health and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Correct answer: A. Use condoms correctly and consistently; another contraceptive method may be added for extra pregnancy protection when appropriate, because condoms reduce the transmission risk of many STIs.

Explanation: Correct and consistent condom use reduces the risk of pregnancy and lowers transmission risk for many STIs. Another suitable contraceptive method can provide additional pregnancy protection. Oral contraceptive pills do not protect against STIs, and antibiotics do not prevent all STIs or justify self-medication.

Correct answer: A. Gender discrimination can affect access to health services, rights, and the sex ratio.

Explanation: Gender equality promotes equal access to reproductive-health information, services, and decision-making rights. Gender discrimination can contribute to unequal healthcare and opportunities and may support practices that produce an imbalanced sex ratio. The other options describe unrelated biological processes.

Correct answer: A. It can reduce the risk of infection spreading to the upper reproductive tract, pelvic inflammatory disease, and scarring of the fallopian tubes.

Explanation: Some untreated reproductive tract infections can spread upward and cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Inflammation and tissue damage may scar or block the fallopian tubes, increasing infertility risk. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment reduce these complications, but cannot guarantee reversal of existing damage or immunity from future infections.

Correct answer: A. Guiding informed decisions and providing emotional support

Explanation: Reproductive-health counselling provides reliable information about contraception, family planning, infection prevention, and available health services. It also supports voluntary, informed decisions and emotional well-being. Its purpose is to promote safer and more responsible health-related behaviour.

Correct answer: A. Because they concern safe pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal care, and the health of newborns and children

Explanation: Reproductive health is not limited to fertility or contraception. It includes care before and during pregnancy, safe childbirth, postnatal services, and the health of newborns and children. Therefore, maternal and child health services are an essential part of comprehensive reproductive health.

Correct answer: A. Confidential counselling, scientifically accurate education, guidance for responsible behaviour, and measures to reduce stigma and discrimination

Explanation: Comprehensive reproductive health includes more than testing, treatment, and contraception. It also requires accurate information, counselling, responsible decision-making, and protection from stigma and discrimination. Option A addresses these physical, emotional, behavioural, and social dimensions together, whereas the other options are limited in scope.

Correct answer: A. Health-service availability per person may decline, increasing waiting times and pressure on resources

Explanation: When the population grows faster than health infrastructure, the number of beds, healthcare workers, and primary-care services available per person may fall. This can cause overcrowding, longer waiting times, and greater pressure on limited resources. Infrastructure must grow sufficiently in proportion to the population, not merely increase by some amount.

Correct answer: A. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact

Explanation: AIDS is a disease condition caused by advanced HIV infection. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, so awareness, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and safer sexual practices are important parts of reproductive health education. HIV is not spread through food, water, casual contact, or mosquito bites.

Correct answer: A. Some pathogens may remain even when symptoms lessen, so the infection may persist or spread; in some bacterial STIs, incomplete treatment may also increase the risk of treatment failure or resistance

Explanation: A reduction in symptoms does not always mean that the infection has been eliminated. If treatment is stopped early, pathogens may survive, allowing the infection to persist, recur, or spread to another person. In some bacterial STIs, incomplete or inappropriate treatment can also increase the risk of treatment failure and antimicrobial resistance. Treatment should be changed or stopped only as directed by a qualified healthcare professional.

Correct answer: A. To promote safe and responsible decisions based on scientific information.

Explanation: Misconceptions about reproduction, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and health services can cause fear, stigma, and harmful decisions. Correcting them helps people use scientific information to make safe and responsible choices and seek appropriate care. Reproductive health programmes aim to improve knowledge, prevention, and access to services.