Over the past 10 years preventive health care of adolescents has received increased attention with the publication of the American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines for Preventive Services (GAPS) Bright Futures Health Supervision Guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendations. Screening of sexually active girls for risk behaviors and for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and with Papanicoloau (Pap) smears as well as the provision of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing have assumed increased importance. The 1995 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that over 50% of ninth- to 12th-grade high school girls reported ever having had sexual intercourse. Higher percentages are reported by out-of-school youth. In addition girls who do not report consensual intercourse but have been victims of sexual abuse or assault may add to the number of adolescents who have been exposed to STDs including human papillomavirus (HPV) a risk factor for abnormal Pap smears. (excerpt)