SRH WATCH

How sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are spread STIs are spread predominantly by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex Some STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as via blood or blood products Many STIs including syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, and HPV can also be transmitted from mother to...Read More

Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Counselling and behavioural interventions offer primary prevention against STIs (including HIV), as well as against unintended pregnancies. These include: • comprehensive sexuality education, STI and HIV pre- and post-test counselling; • safer sex/risk-reduction counselling, condom promotion; • STI interventions targeted to key populations, such as sex workers, men who...Read More

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Who is at risk?  FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and adolescence, and occasionally on adult women.  More than 3 million girls are estimated to be at risk for FGM annually.  More than 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected...Read More

Are there any health benefits associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)? According to the WHO, FGM has no health benefits, only harm. FGM harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies. Generally speaking, risks...Read More

Effects of alcohol and drugs on adolescents Harmful drinking among adolescents is a major concern in many countries. Drug use among 15–19 year olds is also an important global concern because of the following: a) It reduces self-control and increases risky behaviours, such as unsafe sex or dangerous driving. b) It is an underlying cause...Read More

Facts and Figures on Adolescents :Early pregnancy and childbirth The leading cause of death for 15-19 year-old girls globally is complications from pregnancy and childbirth. Some 11% of all births worldwide are to girls aged 15–19 years The vast majority of these births are in low- and middle-income countries. The UN Population Division puts the...Read More