Adolescent Reproductive Health in Asia

Now a days, the reproductive health of adolescents is growing concern. The reproductive health needs of adolescents have been largely ignored by the existing health services. Hence, there is a need to provide such services and to undertake research in understanding adolescent sexual behavior and reproductive health. It is important to recognize the growing incidence of premarital sexual activity among adolescents owing to the widening gap between age at menarche and age at marriage. In some Asian countries, there is a high proportion of marriage during adolescence, resulting in a high rate of adolescent childbearing. Thus, it is important that information and services on reproductive health be made available to both married as well as unmarried adolescents. This paper highlights the demographic dimensions of the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in Asia. It discusses adolescent sexually and the factors that influence their sexual behavior. It also discusses adolescent childbearing and contraceptive use. Finally, it examines the consequences of adolescent sexuality and childbearing and concludes with a discussion outlining the scope for further research. Based on the recognition of early sexual maturity and premarital sexual activities among adolescents research should, therefore, focus on both married and married adolescents.

Reference:

Gubhaju, B. B. (2002). Adolescent reproductive health in Asia. Asia Pacific Population Journal, 17(4), 97-119.

http://archive.iussp.org/Bangkok2002/S30Gubhaju.pdf