Adolescent Sexual Behaviour and its Health Implications

Most young people (10-24) initiate sexual behaviour during this age and have many misconceptions and myths related to sexual and reproductive health. There are numerous myths attached to sexuality and reproductive health (concept of “manhood” STIs and virginity, semen myths etc.) that are at the rood of High Risk Sexual behaviour in this particular age group. In addition many mental health and social problems (anxiety, depression, poor body image, stigma, suicides) may result from myths abut masturbation, body image, erectile dysfunction, illegitimate pregnancy and sexual problems (eg. Premature Ejaculation). In addition, most adolescents lack relevant information and skills to practice safe sex. This situation has its impact not only on adolescent / young individual but also on their families and the society.

Adolescent are “exposed” to sexual imagery and messages in today’s media but lack accurate and “useful” information concerning sexuality and reproductive health.

Implications of Early Sexual Involvement in Adolescence:
• Adolescents who start having sex early are more likely to have sex with:
- High risk partners, or
- Multiple partners.
• They are less likely to use condoms.
• Contraceptive usage is likely to be low.
Consequences of Unsafe Sexual Behaviour among Adolescents
• Early pregnancy and Parenthood (early marriage and sometimes ‘ out of wedlock’).
• Higher percentage of low birth weight (LBW) babies and increased infant morbidity and morality.
• Abortions and its related complications
• RTI/ST including HIV/AIDS
• Consequence that are more in adolescents even if it has been ‘safe sex’
• Emotional impact - guilt, stress, anxiety, suicide
• Social impact – Stigma (especially if unmarried)
• Economic impact – hindrance to academic and career progression
• Emotional, social and economic impact may be more I case o adolescents (even if it is safe sex) because they are not mature enough to handle this consequence.

Negative Impact due o lack of Awareness and Skills related to Sexuality and HIV:
Whether they are married or unmarried, adolescents can face potentially serious physical, social and economic consequences from unprotected sexual relations such as: unintended and to early pregnancy and childbirth, ‘unsafe abortions’ and STIs including HIV. These events can also cut short educational and job opportunities; and negatively affect social and cultural development – especially of adolescent girls. For boys too, early fatherhood can disrupt educational plans and increase economic responsibilities.

Adolescents, both male and female belonging to most countries of South East Asia, need to deal with multiple issues arising out of these areas to lead a healthy, responsible, safe, joyful and guilt free sexual life. Psychologists have termed this to be one of the main developmental tasks of healthy adolescence. Not having achieved comfort with sex and sexuality as adolescents could lead to a number of serious problems not only in adolescence but also in adulthood.

Adolescent Sexuality, if not dealt with properly, has serious repercussions. The lack of accurate information regarding sexual anatomy and physiology may lead to sexual ill-health. In many cases, adolescents are ignorant about sexuality largely because they have a negative emotional attitude toward sex organs and matters related to sexuality. It is not uncommon for adolescents to perceive their sexual organs as dirty and to refrain even from looking at them. Such negativism is particularly common among females, but males, too, may have negative feeling about sex organs. The innumerable myths attached to the organs and their functioning are usually picked up early in childhood and adolescence from peers or available, unscientific literature and may lead to irreparable harm later in life.

Lack of sexual health education (i.e. Information PLUS Skills) contributes to the health and psycho-social problems of the adolescents. They are likely to be curious ye ill-informed, body yet vulnerable and have numerous myths related to sexual anatomy and functioning. Many adolescents adopt high risk behaviour due to the numerous myths and lack of skills – especially ability to negotiate and to deal with peer pressure effectively.
The anxiety attached with masturbation, “small” penis or breasts, can lead to negative body image, premature ejaculation and complex problems related to sexual functioning. Ignorance about sexual functioning and STI, curiosity about sex, peer pressure and lack of appropriate skills may facilitate transmission of STI/HIV and lead to unwanted pregnancy. Alternatively it may lead to primary “infertility” purely because of ignorance regarding physical aspects of sexual intercourse.
Many of these factors / determinants are linked and feed on each other.

Adolescence is the “Last Chance” to catch up on lost growth and development due to childhood malnutrition.