Sexual and reproductive health

MANY adolescents are sexually active.
Much of their sexual behaviour is risky because they are poorly informed about their bodies, sexuality, reproduction, and the consequences of sex.
They also lack the skills to say “no” to unwanted sex or to convey safer sex.
Adolescent girls, due to gender-based discrimination, find it difficult to avoid pressure and are forced into sexual relations.
Some adolescent boys are also distressed into proving their ‘macho status’ by having multiple partners.
The use of alcohol and drugs is a contributing factor to unsafe sex.
Social and religious constraints may also limit adolescent’s access to sexual and reproductive health information and services.
Negative attitudes of service providers, unfriendly service, and unsuitable opening hours or locations are often reason why adolescents do not seek sexual and reproductive health services, where available.

• Contraceptive knowledge and use. Not all sexually active adolescents who wish to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are using contraceptive methods. It is estimated that about 11 per cent of the 275 million adolescent girls (15-19 years) worldwide who want to delay or limit child-bearing are not using contraceptives; and,
• Adolescent pregnancy. The percentage of births to adolescents in selected countries in the region is around 8 per cent.
  This is a concern because adolescent pregnancy puts girls at high risk of spontaneous abortion, premature labor, stillbirths, obstructed labor and related injuries, as well as death.

It is evident that children of adolescent girls are at high risk of infant morbidity and mortality.
If the child is unwanted, it could also lead to problems of child abuse.