Dear Editor,
How many persons are aware that there is 'Safer Sex Week'? Many were caught up in various activities as they celebrated Valentine's Day, but I believe that greater emphasis should be placed on recognising 'Safer Sex Week'. The week is geared towards individuals examining their sex lives with a direct focus on practising safe sex.
The theme for this year's 'Safer Sex Week' was dubbed "Don't guess ... take your test." This is an intriguing theme, since there continues to be a large number of persons, especially young people, who are being infected by HIV/AIDS, and most are unaware since they are not doing testing to keep abreast of their sexual health.
The National HIV/AIDS Programme in the Ministry of Health's most recent report shows that one of the key at-risk populations for HIV/AIDS is youth and moreso young women. "Females account for the larger share of cases in the 10-29 and the 15-19 age groups, four times as many young women have been reported having higher incidents of HIV infection than young men." What is this saying to us as a nation? It is without a doubt showing that emphasis should be on preventing this pandemic from worsening in this population.
The focal point should be on public awareness of this issue and how it can be alleviated. National HIV/AIDS Programme surveys have revealed that the most common responses that came from young people, especially young women, is that they do not believe they are at risk for HIV/AIDS ( low risk perception).
Sexual Reproductive Health should be of utmost importance to all young people, especially young women and girls. Being in control of one's sexual health means taking charge of your own sexual practices and ideologies. However, in all of this, one must be cognisant of the reality that surrounds having unprotected sex which may lead up to unwanted pregnancies and STIs.
Having said all of this, there needs to be more assertiveness amongst youth when it comes to practising safe sex. 'Safer Sex Week' is an opportunity for individuals to reflect on how they can practise safer sex and concentrate on educating their peers of the importance of doing so. The theme for the week served as a reminder that we should become responsible for our sexual health by doing all the necessary testing to stay in the know as an indicator of what one's HIV status is.
Jason Madden
SRHR youth advocate
What 'Safer Sex Week' should mean to Jamaicans
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How many persons are aware that there is 'Safer Sex Week'? Many were caught up in various activities as they celebrated Valentine's Day, but I believe that greater emphasis should be placed on recognising 'Safer Sex Week'. The week is geared towards individuals examining their sex lives with a direct focus on practising safe sex.
The theme for this year's 'Safer Sex Week' was dubbed "Don't guess ... take your test." This is an intriguing theme, since there continues to be a large number of persons, especially young people, who are being infected by HIV/AIDS, and most are unaware since they are not doing testing to keep abreast of their sexual health.
The National HIV/AIDS Programme in the Ministry of Health's most recent report shows that one of the key at-risk populations for HIV/AIDS is youth and moreso young women. "Females account for the larger share of cases in the 10-29 and the 15-19 age groups, four times as many young women have been reported having higher incidents of HIV infection than young men." What is this saying to us as a nation? It is without a doubt showing that emphasis should be on preventing this pandemic from worsening in this population.
The focal point should be on public awareness of this issue and how it can be alleviated. National HIV/AIDS Programme surveys have revealed that the most common responses that came from young people, especially young women, is that they do not believe they are at risk for HIV/AIDS ( low risk perception).
Sexual Reproductive Health should be of utmost importance to all young people, especially young women and girls. Being in control of one's sexual health means taking charge of your own sexual practices and ideologies. However, in all of this, one must be cognisant of the reality that surrounds having unprotected sex which may lead up to unwanted pregnancies and STIs.
Having said all of this, there needs to be more assertiveness amongst youth when it comes to practising safe sex. 'Safer Sex Week' is an opportunity for individuals to reflect on how they can practise safer sex and concentrate on educating their peers of the importance of doing so. The theme for the week served as a reminder that we should become responsible for our sexual health by doing all the necessary testing to stay in the know as an indicator of what one's HIV status is.
Jason Madden
SRHR youth advocate
What 'Safer Sex Week' should mean to Jamaicans
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