Sex education should be part of the
school curriculum.
S
exual health education should
be part of both the primary
and high school curriculum.
If included, such a move would
contribute to a reduction in the high
rates of adolescents who have sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and
unwanted pregnancies.
World over, the problem of STIs has
been of concern to health authorities.
Last year, the World Health Organisation noted that there has been an
average of 19 million STIs reported
every year. Half of these infections
are amongst adolescents and young
adults.
by Christabel Ndlazulwana
In order
to reduce
this, Sexual health
education
needs to be
incorporated into
the school
curriculum. When
students
understand
the risks
associated
especially
with
unprotected sex,
they may
be able
to make
healthy
decisions
regarding
sex not only now but throughout
their lives. Without a comprehensive
sexual education program facilitated
by a professional, adolescents and
young adults will often base their
decisions on misinformation from
peers and bogus Internet sources.
Sexually active adolescents aged
between 15 and 19 are at a higher
risk of acquiring STIs as compared to
adults. This is because of behavioural, biological, and cultur