Publication: Sexual and reproductive health status among young people in Nepal: opportunities and barriers for sexual health education and services utilization
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Abstract
This article attempts to summarise the situation of sexual and reproductive health among young people in Nepal.
Modernisation and social transformation are occurring rapidly in Nepalese society. Growing expansion of communication
and transportation networks, urbanisation and in-migration of population to urban areas is creating a different socio-
cultural environment, which is conducive to more social interactions between young girls and boys in Nepal. Rising age
at marriage has now opened a window of opportunity for pre-marital and unsafe sexual activity among young people
in Nepal which creates risks of unwanted pregnancy, STIs/HIV and AIDS. Several socio-economic, demographic and
cultural factors have been identified as encouraging factors for risk taking behaviours among young people. Improving
access to youth friendly services, implementing peer education programmes for school and out of school going
adolescents, developing effective Information, Communication and Education (IEC) materials and curricula have been
highly suggested to improve the existing young people’s sexual and reproductive health status.
Key words: Young People, Sexual Health, Service Utilization and Nepal
Description
Regmi P1, Simkhada P 2, Van Teijlingen ER 3
1PhD Student, Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, 2 Research Fellow in International Health, Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, 3Reader in Public Health, University of Aberdeen, UK