RT Book, Section
A1 Smith, Christiana
A1 Reirden, Daniel H.
A1 Nyquist, Ann-Christine
A2 Bunik, Maya
A2 Hay, William W.
A2 Levin, Myron J.
A2 Abzug, Mark J.
SR Print(0)
ID 1190373047
T1 Sexually Transmitted Infections
T2 Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics, 26e
YR 2022
FD 2022
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781264269983
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1190373047
RD 2024/04/19
AB The  rate  of  sexually  transmitted  infections  (STIs)  acquired  during  adolescence  remains  high  despite  widespread  educational  programs  and  increased  access  to  health  care.  By  senior  year  in  high  school,  up  to  half  of  youth  will  have  had  sexual  intercourse.  The  highest  age-specific  rates  for  gonorrhea,  chlamydia,  and  human  papillomavirus  (HPV)  infection  occur  in  adolescents  and  young  adults  (15–24  years  of  age).  While  this  age  group  accounts  for  only  25%  of  the  sexually  active  population,  it  accounts  for  almost  half  of  the  incident  STIs.  Adolescents  contract  STIs  at  a  higher  rate  than  adults  because  of  sexual  risk  taking,  age-related  biologic  factors  (eg,  cervical  ectopy,  maturing  immune  system),  and  barriers  to  health  care  access.  In  every  state  and  the  District  of  Columbia,  adolescents  can  provide  consent  for  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  STIs  without  parental  consent;  18  states  allow,  but  do  not  require,  disclosure  to  a  parent.  In  many  states,  adolescents  can  also  provide  consent  for  human  immunodeficiency  virus  (HIV)  counseling  and  testing.  Since  individual  state  laws  vary,  health  care  providers  should  be  knowledgeable  about  the  legal  definitions  regarding  age  of  consent  and  confidentiality  requirements  in  their  state.