Sexually transmitted infections among adolescents: An emerging issue

Abstract

India has seen an increase in the incidence ofsexually transmitted infections (STI) in recenttimes. This increase is remarkably evident inadolescents, who comprise approximately20% of the Indian population (Shashikumar etal., 2012). According to the Nation Youth Policy of India, the population belonging tothe age group 13-19 years constitutes theadolescent population. Adolescents have anincreased risk of contracting sexuallytransmitted infections (STIs) from bothbiological and behavioral standpoints.Behaviourally, the prefrontal cortex,responsible for executive functioning, is yet tofully develop in adolescents. It can causebehavioral disinhibition, making them moreprone to engage in high-risk sexual behaviorlike multiple partners or sex without using thebarrier method (Steinberg, 2015; Workowski,2015).