Summary of Study Session 8

In Study Session 8, you have learned that:

1. Pregnancy before the age of 18 year has several health risks, which include obstructed or prolonged labour, pre-eclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy), unsafe abortion and premature and stillbirth. It also has economic, social and psychological consequences for both girls and boys.
2. As pregnancy in adolescence has several bad effects, it is important that adolescents prevent or delay pregnancy through the appropriate use of contraceptive methods.
3. Contraceptive methods that are safe and appropriate for adolescents’ use include combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills, Depo-Provera (DMPA) injectable contraceptive, implants and condoms.
4. IUCDs are appropriate for young people when they are in a stable, mutually monogamous marriage.
5. The lactational amenorrhea method is appropriate for a young woman when the following three conditions are fulfilled: under six months postpartum, fully or nearly fully breastfeeding, and amenorrhaeic.
6. Abstinence is appropriate for young people who have not yet begun sexual activity, as well as those who are already sexually experienced. As abstinence provides protection against STIs and HIV/AIDS, it is good method for young people.
7. Emergency contraceptives should be available for young girls who have unprotected sex but must be used with in the first 120 hours (five days) following unprotected sexual intercourse.