Prevention of sexually transmitted infections among adolescents

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV infection, can have a profound impact on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. While adolescents are a quarter of the sexually active population, they represent nearly half of all new STI cases globally. STIs have considerable impact on the morbidity and mortality for infected individual, but also their partners and children. A complex interplay of biological, behavioral, sociocultural, and ecological factors put young people at risk of STIs. This chapter discusses the global spread of STIs among adolescents, the pathogens, symptoms, and health consequences of select STIs, social and behavioral determinants of STIs, and we describe key public health approaches aimed at reducing the burden of STIs among adolescents.