Sexually Transmited Diseases on the rise December 11, 2006

It is widely known among us Maldivians that teenagers and adults likewise engage in unsafe sexual practices. Sex is a curious subject for most teenagers and with any other curiosities they tend to experiment. Most of the time they are more worried about getting pregnant than aquiring a sexually stansmitted disease (STD). Little do most know about chlamydia, herpes simplex and herpes simplex 2 (virus usually persists in individual for life), genital warts, Gonorrhea, donovanosis,syphilis,congenital syphilis and most importantly HIV. Lymphogranuloma Venereum is another infection that we dont hear often but is common in India and in the tropics. All these infections can cause severe complications such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) if untreated. PID can cause infertility and even cause death.

I think that being silent is one of the reasons that contribute to STD infections in younger adults and teenagers. These teenagers are afraid to ask their mom or dad thinking that by asking such questions they could be vilified or in fear that their parents may assume that they are in to something mischievious. The parents do most of the times. Shooed away by telling them that it is an inappropriate subject to talk to. I mean, what is appropriate if not talking about their health? If we look at the schools we dont see them doing much either in making awareness about other health issues and i dont see how they can do better with a “taboo subject”.

The best thing to stay safe from most (it has been known that some of these do get through condoms) of these infections is to use condoms. Carry one always if you are that active. Encourage your partners to use one. Have the courage to say NO if without condom. Dont have multiple sex partners as most of these terrible diseases linger around with those having multiple partners. Know who your partner is and their sexual behavior is crucial.

Only using a condom is not safe either. Every one should know how to use them. I have heard stories from some islanders who used to wash and reuse condoms. Yes. They hang them to dry on ropes just like clothes. In India they have another problem. It seems that they are using too a bigger size because they dont know that they come in different sizes and is available. I am not familiar with the availability in Maldives, but i think it should be made easily accesible to the young.