Young people need help in preventing pregnancy and HIV; how will the world respond?

This article summarizes key findings of a multiyear multicountry study on the scope of young people?s sexual and reproductive health needs in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence was gathered in Burkina Faso Ghana Malawi and Uganda where in-depth interviews with 12- to- 19-year-olds and interviews with key adults in adolescents? lives were conducted. The evidence shows that teens are concerned about and want to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancy and HIV but that misinformation about sex and its consequences is common and many adolescents do not get the education and services they need.