Sexual and reproductive health care for adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence is a unique developmental period with specific health and developmental needs and rights, influenced by physical and psychological changes. All societies recognise that there is a difference between being a child and becoming an adult. How this transition is defined and recognised differs between cultures and countries. 

Adolescence is a phase in which the person starts to develop intellectual knowledge and skills, learns how to manage emotions, relationships and understand sexual identity. One of the characteristics of adolescence is that risky and reckless behaviours are higher than at any other period of development.