Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is an important issue for the Australian population. Pregnancy, childbirth and sexually transmitted infection (STI) are major contributors to overall morbidity in the adolescent age group. Legally induced abortions were the second most common hospital procedure and reason for hospital admission in young women aged 12–24 years in Australia in 1997–1998,1 and issues relating to family planning and female genital disorders (combined) represented the most common reason young women consulted general practitioners in 1998–1999.1 The longer-term implications of teenage pregnancy and STI are considerable. If we are to optimise the economic, social and physical health of all Australian adolescents and young …show more content…
These centres provide confidential care to students, including health education, screening, acute care and mental health services, and many also provide sexual healthcare.44 School-based clinics have been demonstrated to improve understanding of health issues and access to healthcare in adolescents.45 This model deserves evaluation in the Australian context.
Teenage sexual health in Australia — the future
It is imperative that Australia develop a coordinated policy to adequately cater for the reproductive and sexual health needs of adolescents. This should include recommendations for the development and implementation of:
• comprehensive evidence-based sexual and reproductive health education, particularly targeting children and younger adolescents;
• clinical services providing comprehensive healthcare to all adolescents in the broader population (barriers to access need to be minimised, and innovative prevention strategies will be required, including training of GPs, the use of school-based or school-linked clinics, and the broader promotion of youth health services);
• evidence-based interventions targeting teenagers at particular risk of STI and pregnancy, as determined by surveillance and the presence of antecedents of high-risk sexual behaviour;