Because adolescents have less experience, resources, and knowledge about prenatal care and childbirth than older women, they and their children suffer when obstetric emergencies arise. Because sexual violence and exploitation are abuse of power, young women are especially at risk , and the violations can have devastating and long-lasting consequences. 9 Since girls are more likely than boys to be subjected to sexual violence, girls are at risk of becoming infected with HIV and other STIs at a much younger age. Other risks include unintended pregnancies, physical injury, and psychological trauma. Studies also show that young people who have been victims of sexual abuse are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behavior than those who have not been abused.
Some young people become prostitutes in order to make money.
In many places, such as in Bangladesh, Brazil, Nepal, the Philippines and Thailand, young people are lured or forced into prostitution. Adolescent women, in particular, are at a biological disadvantage because they have fewer protective antibodies than do older women, and the immaturity of the cervix increases the likelihood that exposure to the infection will result in the transmission of the disease. Moreover, because women often do not show symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea the most common STIs and because having another STI increases an individual s susceptibility to HIV, women s risk of contracting and spreading these infections is especially high. Encourage parental involvement and promote adult communication and interaction with adolescents. Use peer educators to reach out to young people.