Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in Youth

Introduction

The young people ages, 15-24 years old represent 25% of the sexually experienced population and account for 88% of all the news cases of sexually transmitted Infections (STIs), according to Weinstock et al, 2004. These numbers show that STIs have an impact on the youth of US that is sexually actively and the risks are much higher as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports the same numbers that half of the 14 million people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are between the ages of 15 and 24 years (Hein et al, 1995).  Interventions aimed at specifically controlling the increasing numbers of youths getting STIs are the solution. The primary step in this is to make the youth aware of the risk factors of sexually transmitted Infections (STIs).

Risk factors of sexually transmitted Infections (STIs)

When we talk about youth then the risk factors are higher in this age group compared to the adults and some factors increase the risks of getting STIs. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) the factors that can increase the risk of STI’s for youth are:

·         If a youth is sexually active then they are instantly at risk for STI.

·         More than one partner increases the risk for getting STI.

·         Young girls are at a higher risk to get STI compared to boys due to changing hormones.

·         Many girls don’t even know where to get a condom or how it is used. This unawareness puts them at a higher risk as well ( In developing countries like Ghana,  Ohene and Akoto, 2009).

·         Youth from Lower Socio Economic neighborhoods are at a higher risk of developing STI and having unprotected sex.

·         Research shows that a strong connection is found between youth with substance and alcohol abuse behavior and risks of getting STI.

·         Psychological distress among  youth has also been connected with higher risk of engaging in risky sexual activities by youth.

Health Promotion Campaign

Promoting sexual health among youth definitely addresses the risk factors of STIs. It is important to create an awareness among the youth instead of creating fear or using parental approach. According to Hein et al (1995) if parents only attach values to sexual activity of their children, then that does not lower the risk of getting STI. Parents have to approach the issue in connection with school and other resources with a view point of accepting sexual desires, activity present in their children. There has to be a recognition of the problem before a solution can be presented.

References

Weinstock, H., Berman, S., & Cates, W. (2004). Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000.Perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 36(1), 6-10.

Ohene, O., & Akoto, I. O. (2009). Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among young Ghanaian women. Ghana medical journal, 42(3).

Hein, K., Dell, R., Futterman, D., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., & Shaffer, N. (1995). Comparison of HIV+ and HIV-adolescents: Risk factors and psychosocial determinants. Pediatrics, 95(1), 96-104.