‘Teach youths to protect themselves’

TEACHING youths about sexual and reproductive health is vital so that they are aware of pregnancy, contraception and especially sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Gerakan Belia 4B Malaysia (Johor) chairman Khairul Azlan Sulong (pic) said while this might be a “sensitive topic” for the majority of parents in the country, it has to be addressed so that their children could learn to protect themselves.

“Parents must instil strong morals while educating their children on this topic, explain the risks involved and be open when discussing sexual development.

“It is better than leaving them in the dark and learning from untrustworthy sources, or finding out on their own without any guidance or awareness about the risk of STDs.”

The teaching of sexual health should also be stepped up, as youth were now exposed to the Internet and could look up information on their own, he said.

“We as parents need to tell them about the dangers out there, what is morally and culturally wrong and the consequences of sexual relationships, from unplanned teenage pregnancies to baby dumping.”

He said this when asked to comment on a news article published by a healthcare portal, CodeBlue, quoting Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa as saying that 22.4% of 1,819 new gonorrhoea cases involved adolescents aged below 21.

Meanwhile, Johor Youth Council deputy president Mohammad Alif A. Rahim said the issue was not new, but what was concerning was the increasing number of infections among youth every year.

“These days everyone can access the Internet, so our approach should also be improved so that our youth are protected.

“There are suggestions to include sex education in the curriculum but I believe we have to do more than that – NGOs, parents, schools and government agencies need to work together to address this matter before it becomes more serious.

“Providing youths with contraception is also not a good idea – it would be like encouraging them to be more sexually active.”

Mohammad Alif added that the council was currently preparing an awareness module dubbed ‘Identiti Bangsa Johor’ with education on the state’s history as well as sexual health.

“We are currently discussing the matter with the education and health departments, and once we have the green light, we will be able to conduct awareness programmes for youth in schools.

“Our target is those aged between 16 and 18, as the majority of these STD cases involve youths at this age.”

Johor State Xiang Lian Youth Association committee member Dawson Yeang said the government should work with youth associations to promote the Healthy Without AIDS for Youth (Prostar) programme.

“I think the programme is good and collaboration between youth associations will certainly reach the target audience for the government to spread awareness on STDs.

“The approach should also not be limited to secondary schools but also involve tertiary-education level as well so that we can reach youth of all ages,” Yeang said.

On June 30, Dr Zaliha was reported as saying that the Health Ministry was working together with the Higher Education Ministry to increase awareness of STDs among young adults.