Worldwide, young women and men suffer a disproportionate share of unplanned
pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and other serious reproductive
health problems. About one half of all HIV infections worldwide occur among people age 25
and under, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In industrialized countries,
two of every three STD infections occur among people under 24 years of age, and the
proportion of infected youth in developing countries is believed to be even higher.1
More than 10 percent of all births each year are to women ages 15 to 19, according to
the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau (PRB). Even when pregnancy among young
married women is planned, the health risks for teenage mothers and their babies can be
serious. Because their bodies are not fully mature, the risk of maternal mortality is two
to four times higher for pregnant adolescents than for pregnant women over 20. Infant
mortality also is greater among adolescent mothers -- typically 30 percent higher for
infants born to women ages 15 to 19 than for those born to women 20 or older.2
Approximately 2 million adolescent women in developing countries undergo unsafe
abortions each year,3 and a third of all women seeking
hospital care for abortion complications are under age 20. For young women who undergo
unsafe abortion, short-term health problems can include infection or injuries from the
procedure itself, such as a perforated uterus, cervical lacerations or hemorrhage.
Long-term complications include increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic
infection and possible infertility.
In the following articles, Network examines several issues that influence the quality
of reproductive health services for this vulnerable age group:
- Gender perspectives, which are largely defined by social and cultural conditions, shape
the way adolescents view sexuality and play an important role in gaining access to
information and services.
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- Sexual health education typically delays the initiation of sexual activity among youth,
and helps them to avoid risky behaviors when activity begins.
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- Youth programs that succeed tend to share certain traits, such as involving young
adults, parents and community leaders during planning.
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- Psychological and social pressures that youth often face are important considerations
when providing reproductive health services.
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- Media, including posters, drama, broadcasting and publications, can inform young people
about important reproductive health concerns and where to obtain services.
Also included in this issue is a chart of contraceptive methods, with considerations
for the use of each method by adolescents.
Defining the ages of "adolescence" and "adulthood" often varies
from one culture to another. Adolescence typically begins with puberty in most cultures,
but the age when people are considered adults varies. A young woman attending school may
still be considered an adolescent in one country, while her counterpart of the same age in
another may be married, beginning a family and considered an adult. In this issue of
Network, the term "young adults" is often used to embrace both adolescents and
people who are in the early years of their adulthood -- people in their late teens in some
cultures, or early 20s in others.
References
- Cates W, McPheeters M. Adolescents and sexually
transmitted diseases, current risks and future consequences. Presented at the Workshop
on Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Developing Countries: Trends and
Innovations, National Research Council, March 25, 1997, Washington.
- Risks and Realities of Early Childbearing Worldwide:
Issues in Brief. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1997.
- The World's Youth 1996. Chart. Washington:
Population Reference Bureau, 1996.
For more information, visit Family Health International's Website at www.fhi.org
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