Female Adolescent Health Problems Currently Faced

Five of the most serious health challenges confronting female teenagers in the twenty-first century

Unwanted pregnancy and childbirth, sexually transmitted illnesses, psychosocial disorders, violence, and substance addiction. The hypothesis is based on UN Statistics Division (2017) indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals, which show that girls aged 15-19 account for 11% of all worldwide births. While impoverished countries have reported the bulk of cases, the Global North has also reported a considerable number. The statistics further notes that early pregnancy is the leading cause of death among school-going girls, a public health issue that is worsened by the fact that young women between 15 and 24 years account for 15% of the HIV/AIDS prevalence (UN Statistics Division, 2017).

Another debilitating medical issue: mental health

Depression being the most significant contributor. Besides affecting the wellbeing of young girls, psychiatric disorders are also responsible for incapacitation and deaths. The predisposing factor in the despairingly high rate of psychosocial challenges among adolescent girls is violence, self-esteem issues, and poverty. Substance abuse is also a contributive issue in premature deaths among the adolescents, with the spillover concerns being risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, dangerous driving, and violence (UN Statistics Division, 2017).

The Impacts of Issues on Lifetime Health and Wellness

Early sexual activities expose adolescent girls to sexually transmitted diseases. While the majority of ailments are curable in the event of early diagnosis, the advancement of asymptomatic STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and trichomoniasis results in adverse consequences such as infertility. Early sex debut is also responsible for lifelong events such as pelvic inflammatory disease, emotional disturbances, and cervical dysplasia (Mishell & Shoupe, 2016). Unplanned childbearing also leads to poverty and homelessness, where adolescent mothers drop out of school, thus limiting their chances of leading a dignified life in the future. Drug abuse is also responsible for a wide range of issues, including deaths, infections, and social misfits.

References

Mishell, D. R., & Shoupe, D. (2016). The handbook of contraception: A guide for practical management. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.

UN Statistics Division. (2017). SDG indicators. Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved on October 10, 2017 from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/indicators/database/?indicator=3.7.2