High-risk sexual behaviour in adolescence

Abstract

Adolescence comprises the period between ages 10 to19 of an individual’s life period. It is a transitional phasefrom puberty to adulthood, characterised by distinctphysical, physiological and psychological changes.“High-risk sexual behavior” has multiple definitions.Broadly it includes sexual activity that can expose aperson to sexually transmitted infections, unplannedpregnancy, sex with someone who is neither a spousenor a cohabiting partner, early age of sexual debut,unprotected premarital sex, paid sexual relationships,multiple sexual partners, and being in a sexualrelationship(s) before being mature enough to knowwhat makes a healthy relationship. Physical, and psychosocialharms often accompany high-risk sexualbehavior. As per NFHS-5, 39% of men aged 15-24 whohad sexual intercourse in the last 12 months had higherriskintercourse (defined in the survey as sexwith a non-marital, non-cohabitating partner)in the 12 months preceding the survey. Thesame statistics was reported by 2 % of womenaged 15-24. Various individual, personal,family-related, and peer-related factorscontribute to high-risk sexual behaviors.Enrolment in school, comprehensive sexeducation, and HIV prevention programsaddressing relationship issues, as well asconsent and safety from an early age in schoolsand other settings in which young peoplecongregate, can prevent these behaviors.