'This document looks at what we mean by early marriage, and how, although it is declining around the world, 100 million girls will marry before their 18th birthday over the next ten years. As a result of early marriage, many adolescent girls are having unsafe sex within marriage, with an older and sexually experienced man who may be infected with a sexually transmitted infection, or HIV. It notes how, in many countries, the time gap between getting married and having a first baby is declining. I more...

'In 2005, CAH and the Department of Population and Family Health of Johns Hopkins University undertook a literature review to capture recent research on parenting of adolescents in developing countries and in particular to examine the evidence for specific parenting roles that programmes could aim to promote and improve. Given the importance of parents in adolescents’ worlds, what are the specific ways that they influence adolescent health? In addition, how can we translate that knowledge into more...

'This publication outlines the Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development's (CAH) key achievements during the 2006-2007 biennium. It includes a message from the Director and highlights from the following areas of work.'

'This paper addresses two crucial issues in the health and development of adolescents - firstly, what sources of social support are available to them in their communities; and secondly, within the possible sources of support available to them, whom do they turn to for support and why. They are crucial issues because who adolescents can turn to, and who they in fact turn when they need help can make a huge difference to their lives.'

'In 2007 there were an estimated 5.4 million young people 15-24 years old, and an unknown number of 10-14 year olds, living with HIV. As access to treatment improves more and more, children who were infected with HIV during the neonatal period are surviving into adolescence. At the same time, unless there is significant scale-up of effective prevention programmes, young people will continue to become infected.

More Positive Living: strengthening the health sector response to young people livi more...

'The Reproductive Health of Young Adults in India (RHEYA) Project has improved the overall utilization of reproductive health and family planning services primarily by changing popular beliefs and knowledge about early marriage and childbearing and the importance of spacing children to improve their chances of surviving and thriving. In selected areas of the states of Tamil Nadu, New Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, Pathfinder partnered with four local nongovernmental organizations in devel more...

This working paper, based on the work of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Community Involvement in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, presents a framework that links community involvement interventions to desired adolescent health outcomes. The publication includes a set of social change indicators as well as several case studies that evaluate relevant programming.

The Ethiopia Atlas of Key Demographic and Health Indicators 2005 presents maps of more than 20 important health indicators based on the 2005 Ethiopia DHS. The indicators include teenage pregnancy and motherhood, unmet need for family planning, assistance during delivery, and nutrition for children and mothers. The maps show the results for each of Ethiopia’s 11 regions, and allow for quick and easy comparison among the different areas of the country.

'This tool helps program managers and clinicians determine the extent to which current reproductive health services are youth-friendly. Results from the tool can be used to tailor services to better meet the needs and preferences of young people. Under the African Youth Alliance (AYA) Project, Pathfinder conducted baseline assessments in Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana using this tool.'

'Lack of accessibility to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services by young people is a problem that needs serious attention by program planners and service providers. Despite an increasing number of reports on youth SRH problems, the SRH needs of young people often fall through the cracks of many health and development plans and programs.
Because of the stigma attached to adolescent sexuality, there have been pockets of opposition to youth access to SRH information and ser more...