PapersFlow Research Brief
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Research Guide
What is Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health?
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health is the cluster of research exploring adolescent sexual behavior patterns, risk factors for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, sex education, contraceptive use, parent-adolescent communication, gender inequalities, and social determinants influencing sexual behavior.
This field encompasses 89,549 works focused on adolescent health, sexual behavior, HIV prevention, and related factors. Key areas include youth risk behaviors monitored through national surveillance like the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Growth data over the past five years is not available.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Adolescent Sexual Risk Behavior Trajectories
This sub-topic employs longitudinal designs to model patterns of early sexual debut, multiple partners, and condom non-use from adolescence to adulthood. Researchers identify predictors like peer norms, self-regulation, and family structure.
Sex Education Program Efficacy
This sub-topic conducts RCTs evaluating comprehensive vs. abstinence-only curricula on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Researchers assess mediators like self-efficacy and implementation fidelity across settings.
Parent-Adolescent Sexual Communication
This sub-topic examines barriers, strategies, and outcomes of parent-child discussions about sex, contraception, and relationships. Researchers study cultural differences, timing, and mediation by maternal warmth.
Contraceptive Use Among Adolescents
This sub-topic analyzes patterns, determinants, and interventions promoting consistent LARC and dual-method use among sexually active youth. Researchers address access barriers, misinformation, and partner dynamics.
Gender Inequalities in Adolescent Sexual Health
This sub-topic investigates power imbalances, coercion, and norms driving gendered STI/HIV disparities. Researchers evaluate gender-transformative interventions in schools and communities.
Why It Matters
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health research informs public health strategies to reduce HIV and STI transmission among youth. Kann et al. (2018) in "Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2017" provide data used to compare health-related behaviors across subpopulations, assess trends, and monitor progress toward 21 national health objectives, enabling targeted interventions in schools and communities. Branson et al. (2006) in "Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings" establish protocols for HIV testing in clinics, emergency departments, and substance abuse treatment centers, directly impacting care delivery for at-risk adolescents. Skolnik (2007) in "Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006" sets nationwide standards for STD treatment, addressing adolescent vulnerabilities highlighted in the field.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2017" by Kann et al. (2018) provides foundational prevalence data on U.S. adolescent health behaviors, serving as an accessible entry point with national surveillance metrics.
Key Papers Explained
Kann et al. (2018) in "Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2017" establishes baseline risk behavior trends, which Branson et al. (2006) in "Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings" builds upon with testing protocols. Skolnik (2007) in "Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006" extends this to treatment standards, while Abdool Karim et al. (2010) in "Effectiveness and Safety of Tenofovir Gel, an Antiretroviral Microbicide, for the Prevention of HIV Infection in Women" tests prevention methods in high-risk populations. Sawyer et al. (2018) in "The age of adolescence" frames the developmental context linking these clinical and behavioral insights.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current frontiers emphasize integrating surveillance data from Kann et al. (2018) with prevention trials like Abdool Karim et al. (2010), focusing on adolescent-specific adaptations of HIV testing and STI guidelines from Branson et al. (2006) and Skolnik (2007). No recent preprints or news coverage available.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motivation and Personality | 1997 | — | 15.2K | ✕ |
| 2 | Sexual Dysfunction in the United States | 1999 | JAMA | 5.1K | ✕ |
| 3 | Can Treatment Adherence Be Improved by Using Rubin's Four Tend... | 2017 | Biomedicine Hub | 3.9K | ✓ |
| 4 | AIDS Education and Prevention | 2004 | The Journal of AIDS Re... | 3.2K | ✕ |
| 5 | Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006 | 2007 | Humana Press eBooks | 3.1K | ✕ |
| 6 | The age of adolescence | 2018 | The Lancet Child & Ado... | 3.1K | ✕ |
| 7 | Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents... | 2006 | PsycEXTRA Dataset | 3.0K | ✕ |
| 8 | The evolution of human sexuality | 1980 | Personality and Indivi... | 2.5K | ✕ |
| 9 | Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2017 | 2018 | MMWR Surveillance Summ... | 2.5K | ✓ |
| 10 | Effectiveness and Safety of Tenofovir Gel, an Antiretroviral M... | 2010 | Science | 2.4K | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What data sources monitor adolescent sexual risk behaviors?
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) collects data on health-related behaviors among U.S. high school students. Kann et al. (2018) in "Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2017" report prevalence data used to compare subpopulations, track trends over time, and evaluate national health objectives.
How do CDC guidelines address STD treatment for adolescents?
The Centers for Disease Control issued Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines in 2006, establishing the national standard of care for STD treatment. Skolnik (2007) in "Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006" summarizes key points applicable to adolescents.
What are the CDC recommendations for HIV testing in adolescents?
CDC recommends routine HIV testing for adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health-care settings including emergency departments, urgent care, and substance abuse clinics. Branson et al. (2006) in "Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings" provide these protocols for public and private sectors.
What role does tenofovir gel play in HIV prevention for young women?
Tenofovir gel, an antiretroviral microbicide, reduced HIV infection risk in women in the CAPRISA 004 trial conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Abdool Karim et al. (2010) in "Effectiveness and Safety of Tenofovir Gel, an Antiretroviral Microbicide, for the Prevention of HIV Infection in Women" demonstrated its efficacy where young women face high HIV burden.
What defines the age range of adolescence in health research?
Sawyer et al. (2018) in "The age of adolescence" examine the extended period of adolescence relevant to health outcomes. This framework addresses developmental stages impacting sexual and reproductive health.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can parent-adolescent communication be optimized to improve contraceptive use and reduce STI risks?
- ? What interventions best address gender inequalities in adolescent sexual health outcomes?
- ? How do social determinants of health interact with biological and developmental factors in adolescent HIV risk?
- ? Which sex education models most effectively alter youth risk behaviors over time?
- ? What are the long-term impacts of early adolescent sexuality on adult reproductive health?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 89,549 works with no specified five-year growth rate.
Surveillance continues via YRBSS as in Kann et al. , alongside persistent reliance on 2006-2010 guidelines for HIV testing, STD treatment, and microbicide prevention.
2018No recent preprints or news coverage reported.
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