STIs in Adolescents

The estimated prevalence of STIs in adolescent girls ranged from 14% at age 14–15 to 34% at age 18–19.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often accompany initiation of sexual activity. Researchers tested a random sample of 838 female adolescents (age range, 14–19) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2003–2004 for five sexually transmitted infections: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV; 23 oncogenic types or type 6 or 11). Prevalences of STIs were weighted to provide estimates for the total U.S. female adolescent population.

The prevalence of infection with any STI was 24% and varied by age from 14% at age 14–15 to 34% at age 18–19. Half the adolescents reported sexual experience: STI prevalence ranged from 20% amon…

Reviewing Author

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

Howard Bauchner, MD

Disclosures

Grant / research supportHuman Resources and Services Administration; NIH; NIH-NHLBI; USDA; GlaxoSmithKline

Editorial boardsArchives of Disease in Childhood (Editor-in-Chief)

STIs in Adolescents

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Reviewing Author