2. Introduction
• Adolescence, defined by the World Health
Organization (WHO) as ages 10 to 19, is a time of
tremendous physical, cognitive, and social
change and when many people initiate sexual
activity.
• This phase of life also presents with fatal and
life-threatening health risks due to risky
behaviors.
• According to World Health Organization, nearly
35% of the global burden of disease has its roots
in adolescence.
3. Cont,..
• Engagement in risky sexual behaviour, for instance,
is due to the fact that majority of the adolescents
tend to assume independence, however, lack the
information and self-confidence to make informed
decisions about their sexuality .
• These high risk sexual behaviours predispose them
to various reproductive health issues which majorly
affect girls such as early child bearing, sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS,
unsafe abortions and maternal mortality.
4. Cont,…
• Adolescents (10-19 years) account for 24.19%
(6.4 million) of Nepal's population (Census 2011).
• Based on data and information collected,
adolescents are not fully aware of their sexual
and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) nor
are they able to exercise them fully.
5. Cont,…
As per the National Demographic Health Survey, 2011:
• The median age that girls marry is 17.8 yrs. whereas
the legal age at marriage is 20 years,
• More than 2 in 5 girls are already married.
• 17% girls from 15-19 years are already mothers/ or
pregnant with their first child.
• Unmet need for contraception in married
adolescents (15-19 years) is 41.6%.
• 86% of married adolescents aged 15-19 are not
using a modern contraceptive method.
• Nearly 1 in 10 adolescents experience physical
violence during pregnancy.
6. Cont,…
• Adolescent birth rate for women aged 15-19
years is 71 per 1000 (MICS 2014).
• 36.4% of youth (15-24 yrs.) who correctly
identify ways of preventing the sexual
transmission of HIV and reject major
misconceptions (MICS 2014).
7. Factors That Increase the Risk of Early
Sexual Activity in Adolescents
• Low socioeconomic status
• Living in a single-parent home
• Engaging in risk-taking behavior (e.g. cigarette,
alcohol, drug use)
• Having sexually active peers
• In some cases, early or rapid pubertal
development