Adolescent Sexual Health: Identity, Risk, and Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Abstract

Development of SOGIE (sexual orientation and gender identity and expression) is not unique to minority populations, as all adolescents grapple with their sexuality and identity. Health care providers straddle the unique positions of authority figure and advocate and can help these young people establish behaviors that will allow them to flourish as adults. This article discusses the appropriate language to use while conducting a sexual history, summarizes the epidemiologic data on sexually transmitted infections, and reviews the screening and reporting guidelines set forth by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Keywords: Asymptomatic infection; Minority populations; Risk; SOGIE; Screening; Sexual health; Sexually transmitted infections (diseases).