Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most common causes of illness in the world. In developing nations, the spread of STIs/HIV infection continues to affect millions of young and productive population. In Ethiopia, youths are at greater risk of STIs including HIV infection often due to high risky sexual behaviours and low use of preventive behaviours and services.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are caused by bacteria, virus, protozoa, and fungus. The most common STIs are gonorrhoea, chancroid, trichomoniasis, lymphogranuloma venereum, Chlamydial infection and syphilis. STI patients will present with symptoms like unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or anus, pain during sex or urination, Sores, blisters, ulcers, warts or rashes in the genital area, itchiness or irritation in the genital area and fever or flu-like symptoms.

Why is youth at risk for STIs?

• Sexual intercourse is often unplanned and spontaneous.
• Adolescent or youth women are biologically more susceptible than older women to STIs.
• Sexual violence and exploitation, lack of formal education including sexuality education, inability to negotiate with partners about sexual decisions, and lack of access to reproductive health services.
• Both adolescent or youth boys and girls may have immune systems that have not previously been challenged and have not mobilised defences against STIs.
• Adolescents or youth lack basic information concerning the symptoms, transmission, and treatment of STIs.
• Adolescents or youth often have multiple, short-term sexual relationships and do not consistently use condoms.
• Youth is subject to dangerous practices such as FGM, anal intercourse to preserve virginity, and scarification.
• Young men sometimes have a need to prove sexual skills.
• Young men may have their first sexual experiences with sex workers.
• Young women may have their first sexual experiences with older men.
• The young female genital tract is not mature and is more susceptible to infections (a biological risk for girls). More cervical epithelial tissue is exposed at the opening of the vagina into the cervix, and this tissue is more susceptible.
• Youth lack accurate knowledge about the body, sexuality, and sexual health.
• Youth lacks control and is subject to early marriage, forced sex, girl trafficking, and poverty
• Youth often has little access to income and may engage in sex work for money or favours.
• Young people may be afraid to seek treatment for STIs.
• Substance abuse or experimentation with drugs and alcohol is common among adolescents and youth and often leads to irresponsible decisions, including having unprotected sex.
• Adolescents or youth may feel peer pressure to have sex before they are emotionally prepared to be sexually active.

STI prevention strategies for young people

• Delay the onset of sexual activity. Abstain from vaginal and anal intercourse until married or in a stable relationship.
• Learn how to use condoms. Young adolescents and youth should practice using condoms before becoming sexually active. If young people are already sexually active, it is important to make sure they know how to use condoms correctly.
• Use condoms. Condoms should be discontinued only when pregnancy is desired, or when both partners in a stable relationship know for certain that they are disease-free.
• Limit the number of partners. Stick with one partner.
• Avoid high-risk partners. Girls and boys should avoid older partners, sex workers, drug users, and truck drivers.
• Recognise symptoms of STIs. If a person experiences burning with urination, discharge from the penis/vagina, and/or genital sores, young people and their partners should not have sex and should come to the clinic for treatment.
• Discuss sexual issues. Young men and women must feel comfortable while communicating with their partners about sex and their sexual histories. A communicative relationship is essential to emotional and physical health.