Thailand Babes on the beach presents an article for

Thailand Babes on the beach presents an article for
Youths keen on learning safe sex

Youths keen on learning safe sex
More openness on the subject sought from parents, teachers

BANGKOK: -- Teenagers want sex education and they want it from their parents and teachers, a survey taken ahead of Valentine's Day reveals.

They especially want to know about safe sex.

The survey polled the attitudes towards sex of 2,000 teenagers aged between 15 and 22 years. They live in 11 provinces from Chiang Mai and Lampang to Bangkok, Surat Thani and Yala.

The survey was conducted by Thai Youth Network on HIV/Aids, Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health, and the Rajabhat Institute at Ban Somdej Chao Phya between October and November last year.

It found 72.5 per cent wanted teachers and parents to give them clear information about sex.

Almost 74 per cent wanted parents to be open-minded when they talked about sex, and relationships.

The survey showed 76.5 per cent wanted sex education on the school curriculum and 56 per cent wanted teachers to show them how to use condoms and explain sexual intercourse. A group of 60.5 per cent wanted information about safe sex on television before 10 at night.

Almost 66 per cent said condoms should be available at schools, and 48.8 per cent thought teenage sex was acceptable.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry expected new HIV/Aids infections would increase to 14,000 this year. Most will be teenagers not practising safe sex.

Director of the ministry's Global Fund on Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Dr Anupong Chitwarakorn, said parents and teachers should educate children about safe sex to prevent HIV/Aids infections.

The ministry will spend Bt30 million on its Yeud Ook Pok Toong (Don't Be Shy) campaign encouraging teenagers not to be embarrassed about carrying condoms.

The campaign was commenced last year. For the next three months it will use broadcast advertisements to get the message across.

"We found most teenagers were satisfied with the campaign last year, and we will continue it to change risky behaviour among youth," Anupong said.

The Nation 2008-02-10