Sexual Transmitted Infection Among Adolescents, Research Paper Example

Introduction

This paper explores the causative factors of sexually transmitted infection among adolescents in the world today.  Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) vary amongst young people in accordance with how they engage in sexual activity.  This will consider such causative factors as sexual intercourse, extent of condom use, they type and characteristics of sexual partners and the geographical disposition. Research has indicated that there are high risk areas like Africa, Caribbean and Eastern Europe.  In addition, biologically the female gender is seen to carry the greatest risk of infection. (Dehne, K.L.  2005)

The World Health Authority (WHO) defines adolescents as aged between 10 and 19 years of age.  This accounts for around 20% of the world population and of which 85% of these live in developing countries.  The greatest focus of attention is based upon the transmission of HIV/AIDS because of the strongest infection spread in the developing world.  Nevertheless, there are other serious sexual diseases, mostly as a result of promiscuity, that are prevalent in the developed world.

Sti and Adoloscent Development

The concept of sexually transmitted infections can have a serious debilitating effect on adolescent development.  This can range from recurring bouts of ill health, the need for ongoing medical treatment and serious interruption of school or college time.  In addition certain types of STI can promote mental instability and possible mental illness.  Figures in 2009 indicated that there were over 33 million people living with and infected with HIV/AIDS. In the USA African American and Hispanic women seem to run the greatest risk accounting for some 80% of the infection in young women.  In 2009 the estimated figure of young women living with AIDS is estimated at 390,000 in North America. (Avert, 2011)

The HIV infection among young women in the USA is increasing.  This raises an important question as to whether young women of childbearing age should be tested for HIV. The issue relates to the fact many young women are unaware of their HIV status and as such testing may avoid perinatal transmission of HIV.  This situation is currently not mandated in the USA and as such, in most states, it remains a voluntary activity between doctor and patient.  The objective of early screening being to prevent AIDS transmission to the Children. (Duggan, 2003).

In the United Kingdom recent statistics have indicated a rise in cases of Genital Herpes amongst young people.  The HSV-1 antibody is particularly noticeable amongst the early entrants of sexual intercourse and reflects sexual practices being initiated in this age group.  Further clinical studies shown that the risk was reduced amongst heterosexual couples as opposed to gay or lesbian couples and the disease was more common amongst young black people of lower socioeconomic status.  Feldman points out that experimentation in sexual practices amongst adolescents may be a contributory factor to the spread of the infection.  (Feldman, R.S. 2007).

Causation

Research has indicated that  females that are heavy substance abuse users have little control over their sexual behavior habits and as such are more prone to STI diseases.   A multi-ethnic sample study was carried out over a group of teenagers aged between 13-19 years and this examined behavioral attributes and psychosocial conditions.   Those teenagers heavy into substance abuse showed a large number of sexual partners and as such increased their risk of becoming infected. These teenagers are often from poor social backgrounds often from families with substance abuse problems or living rough.  (Moscicki, A.B. 1995)

The increased number of sexual partners in teenage adolescents or that of casual sex has significantly increased the risk of getting sexual transmitted diseases.  Another research study examined 838 females in the 14-19 age group  and biological specimens were taken  from the group. Clinical analysis demonstrated high risks in a number of infections that included Neisseria Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia Trachomatis, Herpes Type 2 and high risk categories of some 23 different Human Papillomavirus strains.  It was estimated that the risk factor of getting STI increased by as high as 20% compared to those who maintained sex with a single partner. (Forhan, S.E. et al 2009).

Students at college campuses across the country have been particularly susceptible to sexual transmitted diseases.   Research studies carried out across different college campuses indicated that there is insufficient material education on the precautions that must be taken and the STI drugs that are available – “Our results indicate that most college students would accept STD vaccination. Factors affecting acceptance were similar for both pathogens. The results suggest acceptance will be positively affected by health policies encouraging universal vaccination.” (Boehner, Howe, Bernstein, & Rosenthal, 2003)

It is clear that young students need to seek more medical advice and clarification on the cause and nature of sexual transmitted diseases from their local physicians.  There are specific medical guidelines and assistance available for those who seek out the information and educate themselves on the implications of unsafe sexual practices.  The physicians have a key role to play in the prevention cycle and offering appropriate treatments.

Another alarming factor is that of teenage rapes that occur.  There are no real statistics that show how much sexual transmitted diseases occur as a direct result of a rape.  Many cases go unreported by the victims and STI often occurs later as a consequence.  This gets even darker as the victim often has to deal with the remedial treatment without declaring the underlying cause. This often creates a deeply rooted shame in the victim and potential serious psychological problems.  One research project examines 204 cases of reported rapes  and within 72 hours of the rape some 43% of the sample were found to have acquired a sexually transmitted disease.  This included a range of serious STI infections.  It was observed that the majority of the rape victims had medical symptoms of STI appearing some 72 hours after the incident. (Carole, J. et al  1990).

Sexual transmitted diseases are highly prevail ant amongst young homosexual male adolescents that indulge in frequent diverse casual sex.  This group place themselves  at greater risk from the persistence and spread of the disease at endemic levels.  As such they are for more likely to become reinjected and transmit STI infections to other people.  The lack of safe sex practices and not using condoms significantly increases the risk factor.  Recent studies have shown that teenagers have increased their practices of oral sex and they take no precautions whatsoever. Equally they are unaware of the dangers of the practice and the serious range of sexual transmitted diseases that this exposes them to.  This can lead to serious viral  STI diseases “Oral sex is a common sexual practice among both heterosexual and homosexual couples. The evidence suggests that HIV transmission can take place through oro-genital sex from penis to mouth and vagina to mouth” (Edwards, S. 1998)

The danger of acquiring HIV in this manner has been largely unreported as a subject not widely discussed in medical or other terms.  The risk is less than exposure from other intercourse practices but nevertheless this is serious because of this widespread behavioral pattern in teenagers

Since 1985 where the testing for HIV has been conducted largely on a voluntary basis, the overall situation has improved particularly in Mexico and the USA.  The ethical implications however continue to give rise to fervent debates as to what is largely right and wrong. In developing countries there have been some awful stories reported, from places like Uganda  where medical staff are said to have killed pregnant women with HIV in order to prevent the spread of the disease.  These stories have prevented many from taking screening tests for the fear of being positive with HIV. (Poola,R. 2001

Conclusions

It is strongly advocated that all teenagers should increase their education and awareness on the implications of different sexual behaviors.  Further, the dangers of having different unreliable sexual partners and the implications of promiscuous living.  Whilst young people wish to experiment and explore the fun of different relationships they are exposing themselves to considerable risks without proper protection and preventative measures.

It is also important to have a good relationship with your physician and openly discuss any problems or concerns.  In the event of any infections these should be treated at the earliest opportunity in order to prevent the risk of the infection spreading or more serious medical complications arising.  Females who are the victims of rape or assault need to be aware of the implications and not be afraid to seek out immediate medical assistance.  Physicians respect confidentiality and can help in the recovery cycle from a traumatic experience.

HIV becomes one of the most feared STI problems but there are a range of other infections that left untreated can cause equally serious problems.

References

Avert. (2011). Women HIV and Aids. Retrieved 3 20, 2012

Boehner, C. W., Howe, S. R., Bernstein, D. I., & Rosenthal, S. L. (2003). Viral Sexually Transmitted Disease Vaccine Acceptability Among College Students. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol 30m (1), 774-778.

Carole Jenny, M. T. (1990). Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Victims of Rape. New England Journal of Medicine, 713-716.

Dehne, K. R. (2005). Sexually transmitted infections amongst young adolescents. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Duggan, J. (2003). ). Survey of Physician attitudes towards HIV testing in Pregnant women in Ohio. Aids Patient Care Vol 17(3), 121-127.

Feldman, R. (2007). Adolescence. New York: Pearson / Prentice Hall.

Forhan, S. E. (2009). Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Female Adolescents Aged 14 to 19 in the United States. Pediatrics Vol. 124 No. 6, 1505-1512.

Moscicki, S. M. (1995). Sexual transmitted disease in female adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health Vol 17(2), 83-90.

Poola, R. N. (2001). Attitudes towards voluntary counselling & testing for HIV among pregnabt women in rural south west uganda. Aids Care Vol 13 (5), 605-615.

S Edwards. (1998). Oral sex and the transmission of viral STIs. Sexual Transmitted Infections Vol 74(6), 10.