Abstract
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is not merely about physical health, whether one is suffering from a certain medical condition, but it is also about mental and social well-being—the exercise of human rights and respecting the rights of others. SRH is particularly essential for adolescents’ overall well-being, as they are at the age of developing sexual desire and attraction. At this phase of transition from children to adults, confusion might arise regarding sexual identity and SRH needs. Special attention to the needs and the rights of the sexual minority groups, namely lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities, as they are likely to experience stigmatisation, bullying and violence, relating to higher rates of depression and suicidal attempts. Sex education is needed to increase young people’s biological knowledge of human physiology and their rights in society and, importantly, to empower them to make informed decisions regarding sexual behaviours and practice. Without the appropriate sex education and support, they could lead to serious health consequences, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Unsafe sexual practices and associated unintended pregnancies also pose huge global health burden. Acknowledging and addressing the barriers to accessing contraception at macro- and micro-levels could help meet young people’s need for contraception, reducing the risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancies. Health professionals should make use of their unique position and every opportunity to promote health awareness and educate adolescents over safe sex and contraception. Law and policies would further align beyond the diverse sex education curricula in different countries to promote the rights of an individual.
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Wong, W.C.W. (2023). Gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Young People. In: Fong, B.Y.F., Wong, W.C.W. (eds) Gaps and Actions in Health Improvement from Hong Kong and Beyond. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4491-0_16
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