Youth urged to use condoms as Valentine's Day nears

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Youth urged to use condoms as Valentine's Day nears

The Nation

One third of sexually active youths in the capital have swapped partners at least once, a recent survey showed.

BANGKOK: -- Conducted last month, the survey covered 1,014 respondents aged between 12 and 24 in Bangkok. Of them, 31 per cent have been sexually active. The study also showed that some Thai boys have had their first sexual experience at the age of 12, while the youngest age for girls was 13.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said yesterday that that only 53.2 per cent of the youth used condoms.

The survey was conducted through the collaboration of the Public Health Ministry and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.

Paijit said that if youngsters continued to have unsafe sex, more people would contract the Aids virus. It is estimated that about 600,000 people have been living with Aids in Thailand now.

Disease Control Department directorgeneral Dr Pornthep Siriwanarangsan said his department would hold a campaign on Valentine's Day at MBK Centre to create a positive image for condom buyers/users.

"Our campaign will be held to prevent the spread of sexuallytransmittable diseases [STD]," he said.

The department has received funds to hand out 60 million condoms across the country for the purpose of preventing STDs.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the Assumption University showed that many Bangkok residents were ready to splurge for Valentine's Day. Up to 722 people aged between 18 and 50 filled in questionnaires on the subject between February 5 and 8.

Male respondents said they were planning to spend an average of Bt2,171, while female respondents planned to shell out Bt1,750 for the season of love. Their planned activities include special meals, movies and vacations.

The survey showed that as much as Bt3.723 billion will be spent on Valentine's Day, with up to Bt1.89 billion of it on gifts alone, such as flowers, clothes and accessories, chocolates, cakes and ornaments.

The Nation 2012-02-10