Adolescent Health; A Must Priority

Adolescence is the period of physical, psychological and social maturing from childhood to adulthood. Generally, the term “adolescents” refers to individuals between the ages of 10-19 years and the term “youth” refers to individuals between the ages of 15-24 years, while “young people” covers the entire age range, from ages 10-24 years (WHO/ UNFPA/UNICEF, 1989). According to 2001 census in Nepal, there are approximately 5.4 million (23.6%) adolescent population in Nepal, and upcoming census 2011 is likely to show the same trend because of the fact that the fertility rate has moved a little during the period and huge childhood population is entering the adolescent age. Adolescent population is expected to increase 6 million by the year 2011 and to almost 7 million in 2021. Adolescents complete their physical, emotional and psychological journey to adulthood in a changing world that contains both opportunities and dangers. Most adolescents are full of optimism and represent a positive force in society, an asset now and for the future as they grow and develop into adults. When supported, they can be resilient in absorbing setbacks and overcoming problems. However, adolescents are exposed to risks and pressures on a scale that their parents did not face. Globalization has accelerated change while the structures that protected previous generations of young people are being eroded. Adolescents receive contradictory messages on how to address the daily choices which have lifelong consequences for healthy development. Millions are denied the essential support they need to become knowledgeable, confident and skilled adults. They miss out on schooling for economic reasons or because their communities are displaced or disrupted by war or conflict.And, while most young people have loving families who protect and care for them, many grow up with no adults committed to their welfare or where the ability of caring adults to support them has been damaged. Adolescents are at risk of early and unwanted pregnancy, of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS, and vulnerable to the dangers of tobacco use, alcohol and other drugs. In Nepal, 64% of adolescent already has Sexual intercourse between 1517years age and the Mean age of sexual intercourse in male is 16.4 year and it is 16 year in female.