If adequate public investments are not made in the health of the younger generation, these personal and societal costs will only increase. The majority of young people are sexually experienced by age 20. Among unmarried adolescents, very few use contraception at first intercourse. Contraceptive use among married adolescents is lower in Sub-Saharan Africa than among unmarried teens. In Latin America, trends are variable.
Little information exists about the contraceptive practices of unmarried youth in Asia.
Whether married or not, young people who engage in sexual intercourse without contraception are at risk of adverse health effects. Although knowledge of contraception among young people is increasing, contraceptive use remains low among married and unmarried young women and men. Incidence rates are higher among young women than men in countries where STDs are a major health problem. Approximately one-half of all people infected with HIV are under age 25. The majority of new infections will occur among young women.