The World Health Organization defines an adolescent as an individual between 10-19 years
of age. There are about 350 million adolescents comprising about 22% of the population in
countries of the South-East Asia Region (SEAR). Adolescents are not a homogenous population.
They exist in a variety of circumstances and have diverse needs. The needs of adolescents are
determined by age (early, middle and late adolescence), sex (males / females), marital status,
residence (urban / rural), schooling, socio-cultural environment, and economic status.
Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and development in an individual marking a change
from childhood to adulthood. The transition involves dramatic physical, sexual, psychological
and social developmental changes, all taking place at the same time. New capacities are acquired
and new situations are faced as they grow up. These situations create many opportunities for
development but also pose risks to their health and well-being.
The immediate family environment, peers, societal norms, and the environment at school
and the workplace influence the development of adolescents’ personality, capacities and
vulnerabilities.
Adolescence is generally perceived to be a healthy period of life since mortality is quite low
in this age group. However, this is deceptive since adolescents are faced with several public
health challenges that are, of course, different from the ones that they faced when they were
children.