HIV/STI prevention programme for teens

DR. DONALD Rhodd, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, has announced that a new HIV/STI prevention programme will be implemented in schools to address an increasing trend of sexually transmitted infections among teenagers.

DR. DONALD Rhodd, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, has announced that a new HIV/STI prevention programme will be implemented in schools to address an increasing trend of sexually transmitted infections among teenagers.According to the Minister, recent studies have revealed that more teenagers are becoming infected with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). He said the new policy, which is in the final stages of drafting, will have to get Cabinet’s approval. This he expects to be done by month end.”We want to, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, take the whole thing to the nation to let them be more sensitive and more conscious of the steps they have to take in really minimising, preventing and hopefully one day eradicate HIV/AIDS,” Dr. Rhodd said.Dr. Rhodd was speaking earlier this week at the Jamaica Public Service Company’s Employees Co-operative Credit Union (JPSECCU) scholarship awards presentation at the Terra Nova Hotel.Pointing to dangerous activities such as drug trafficking or usage, prostitution or gang related activities that some youths get involved in, Dr. Rhodd noted that “one cannot ignore the health risk that face them … too many people are engaging in sexual intercourse and are being exposed to STI’s and HIV/AIDS.”He explained that the programme “is going to require us to strengthen the guidance counselling department in school because somebody in a school must take responsibility for this engagement process.”The junior minister said he will reveal more details of the programme after it is presented to Cabinet.(Source: Jamacian Cleaner, 6 Sept 2003)