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REVIEW
Contents Vol 1(2)

Improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health. A view from Australia: learning from world’s best practice

Henrietta Williams A B C and Sandra Davidson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Family Planning Victoria, 901 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Vic. 3128, Australia.

B Department of General Practice, Monash University.

C Author for correspondence; email: hwilliams@fpv.org.au

Sexual Health 1(2) 95-105 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH03023
Submitted: 10 December 2003  Accepted: 30 March 2004   Published: 24 June 2004

Abstract

There is increasing awareness worldwide of the importance of sexual and reproductive health in adolescents. Australia's high rates of teenage pregnancy and increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections in young people reflect a failure to prioritise adolescent sexual and reproductive health on the public health agenda. This paper reviews adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Australia in comparison with international data, and examines the systemic, social and cultural factors that influence it. Based on comparisons with international best practice, recommendations are included for improvement in adolescent sexual and reproductive health within the Australian context.


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