Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health examines how young people navigate sexual development, contraceptive decision-making, and exposure to infections like HIV, with particular attention to the social, familial, and structural forces that shape those experiences. Understanding why certain adolescents face disproportionate risks requires looking beyond individual behavior to factors such as gender inequality, poverty, access to education, and the quality of communication between parents and their children. Researchers are actively working to identify which sex education approaches and health interventions translate into lasting behavior change rather than short-term knowledge gains. Open questions remain around how digital environments and shifting social norms are reshaping adolescent sexual behavior, and how health systems can reach the young people most likely to be excluded from existing services.

Works

92,530

Total citations

1,162,798

Keywords

Adolescent HealthSexual BehaviorHIV PreventionRisk FactorsYouth Risk BehaviorSex Education