HIV and Pregnancy – Major Health Risks for Teenagers

Currently, there are around 1.5 billion teenagers on the planet, which means people aged between 12 and 19. This group faces a wide range of dangers, from mental health issues to sexually transmitted infections. Today, let’s talk about why sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancy pose the greatest threat to teenage girls.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

As of 2016, there were over 2 million HIV-infected teenagers worldwide. This is partly due to the fact that a large portion of today’s teenagers were born to a generation when antiretroviral HIV therapy was not widely available. Another key factor is simply poor awareness of the disease, leading many teenagers to be unaware that they are infected with HIV. Lastly, in many countries, teenagers cannot access effective therapy even if they know their diagnosis.

Currently, the World Health Organization is conducting extensive work within the framework of the “Sustainable Development Goals” program, which aims to eradicate HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and many other diseases. One of the program’s goals is to ensure that people worldwide have easy access to HIV testing and effective treatment options.

But the best method is prevention. Always remember the importance of protection during sex to safeguard not only yourself but also your loved ones.

Early Pregnancy

According to statistics, complications related to pregnancy and childbirth are the second most common cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19. About 11% of births worldwide occur in this age group, and most of these pregnancies happen in low- and middle-income countries.

Currently, an average of 44 out of 1000 girls become pregnant during adolescence, according to UN estimates. Compared to the truly catastrophic situation observed 30 years ago, this is undoubtedly progress, as a reduction in teenage pregnancies also leads to a reduction in teenage mortality.

The methods for addressing this problem are quite simple: awareness and access to contraception. Of course, it’s always important to have condoms on hand. But there are also other factors that can help if unwanted pregnancy occurs. The first of these is providing adolescent girls with easy access to prenatal care.

It’s also worth remembering that Ukraine is among the countries where abortions are legally permitted — you can terminate a pregnancy within the first 12 weeks. However, it’s crucial to be careful about where the abortion is performed, as the low quality of abortion services in Ukraine is also one of the factors contributing to teenage mortality in the country.

Conclusions

Take care of your children. If you have a teenage child, never hesitate to discuss sexual education topics. Your reluctance to talk about sensitive issues like sex and pregnancy could lead to catastrophic consequences in the future.

If you are a teenager yourself, we advise you to never be afraid to seek help from your loved ones. If that’s not an option, you can always reach out to child services or social service centers for families, children, and youth, where they will help you deal with unwanted pregnancy or other issues. Remember, shame and embarrassment are a small price to pay for your health and well-being in the future.

After discussing the major health risks of HIV and pregnancy for teenagers, it’s essential to explore how your face can reveal important information about your overall health.