Teen pregnancy turning into a big worry
HYDERABAD: High risk behaviour in adolescents is increasing at an alarming rate in Hyderabad. Ranging from rampant smoking and drug abuse to serious complaints like teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents, counsellors at Yuva Counselling Centre at Niloufer Hospital are flooded with a plethora of problems.
'About 40 to 50 adolescents are counselled at the centre every day. From developmental disorders, tobacco use, unhealthy diet habits to cases of teenage pregnancies and child sex abuse, we come across all sorts of complaints. What is shocking is that we come across five to eight teenage pregnancy cases every month,' said A Sriam Charan, medical officer at the centre.
In November alone, 1,381 adolescents approached the centre (boys constituted 771 and girls 610). Among all complaints, those relating to sexual problems amounted to 115 (20 from boys and the rest from girls). What is shocking was that among them, 48 girls belong to 10 to 14 years of age. 'Mostly, adolescents belonging to poor and lower middle middle class are referred to Yuva centre.
These adolescents are still devoid of basic facilities and education and there is complete lack of awareness about health among them. As a result, they are at a greater risk of indulging in unhealthy behaviours due to their age factor and ignorance. Some times they are also falling prey to child sexual abuse,' explained Sriram Charan.
Even among educated middle class and higher income group adolescents, there is complete lack of awareness about sexual and behavioural health. Besides lack of knowledge, changing societal trends and influence of movies and internet are wreaking havoc with adolescents today, Charan observed.
According to the records of Yuva centre, 24,355 adolescents were counselled and treated at the centre. Among them 20,860 complaints related to medical issues, while 3494 related to severe psycho social issues.
As adolescents are plagued with health and psycho social problems, Yuva counsellors prescribe a concerted effort from parents, teachers and medical fraternity to create awareness among adolescents about health and sex.
News Posted: 5 December, 2014
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