Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adolescents: An Emerging Issue

India has seen an increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in recent times. This increase is remarkably evident in adolescents, who comprise approximately 20% of the Indian population (Shashikumar et al., 2012). According to the Nation Youth Policy of India, the population belonging to the age group 13-19 years constitutes the adolescent population. Adolescents have an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from both biological and behavioral standpoints. Behaviourally, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functioning, is yet to fully develop in adolescents. It can cause behavioral disinhibition, making them more prone to engage in high-risk sexual behavior like multiple partners or sex without using the barrier method (Steinberg, 2015; Workowski, 2015)