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Anticipatory
Guidance: Tips for Working
with Teens
Adolescence
is one of the most dynamic periods of human development, accompanied
by dramatic physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes.
When working
with teens:
- Be sensitive
to and respect the changes they are experiencing
- Develop a
partnership with them
- Nurture self-assurance
- Encourage
healthful choices
- Provide knowledge
about how to meet challenges
- Understand
that they will become increasingly independent over time
Pregnancy
Prevention Education
Sexual
activity during adolescence can have serious health consequences,
including unintentional pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
PCPs have the opportunity to provide counseling on a one-to-one
basis and are often trusted by teens as highly reliable sources
of information.
Contraceptive Counseling
Teens must be
informed about the options available to them before they consent
to any form of contraception. When counseling teens about contraception,
fully explain the benefits and risks of each of the following contraceptive
methods:
Abstinence
- Should
be encouraged as the most effective way to prevent pregnancies,
AIDS, and other STDs
Condoms
- Are recommended
for all sexually active males and females
- Describe
different types (latex vs. non-latex, lubricated vs. non-lubricated)
- Teach
proper use (including how to put them on) to both males and
females
- Can be
obtained from participating pharmacies (12 latex condoms at
a time) without a prescription to those with a Medicaid card
Contraceptive
foam, suppositories, and sponges
- Are available
as nonprescription items in pharmacies and some food chains
- Contraceptive
effectiveness is increased when spermicidal preparations are
used with condoms
Depo-Provera
(a progestin-only injection)
- Provides
contraceptive efficacy for three months
- Is becoming
the method of choice for teens
Diaphragms
- Can be
effective as contraceptives if the teen is conscientious
Intrauterine
devices (IUDs)
- Are not
a primary choice for teens
- May be
chosen by young women who have had a child
Norplant
- Is a five-year
contraceptive system
- Consists
of six matchstick-size capsules implanted in the upper arm
- May be
an option for some female teens
HIV Prevention Education
When providing
HIV prevention education to teens, consider both the maturity level
and sexual development of the teen and place strong emphasis on
abstinence from sex and drugs.
HIV
Risk Reduction Guidance for Sexually Active Teens
- Abstain from
sexual intercourse to prevent HIV infection
- Maintain
a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner
- Consistently
use protective barriers during sex
- Use latex
condoms with water-based lubricant (oil-based lubricants weaken
condoms)
- Use lubricants/spermicides
containing nonoxynol-9
HIV
Risk Reduction Guidance for Drug-using Teens
- Enter a drug
treatment program
- Avoid sharing
any drug-injecting paraphernalia
- Disinfect
needles and syringes using household bleach (twice)
- Draw bleach
into syringe and expel (twice)
- Beware of
injection “works” sold as clean on the streets
- Use protective
barriers (latex condoms) during sex
For information and HIV/AIDS prevention materials for your office,
call the HIV/AIDS Administration at (202) 727-2500.
The HealthCheck
Appendices contain additional resources for HIV/AIDS prevention,
screening, and treatment.
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