WHO warns of rising unsafe sex among Asians

WHO warns of rising unsafe sex among Asians

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Manila

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday urged Asian
governments to allocate more funds for adolescent health
programs, warning that increasing unsafe sexual behaviors were
putting the youth at higher risks.

WHO's regional office for the Western Pacific said studies
show that adolescents "lack the knowledge and skills to avoid
risky behaviors".

"Acceptable, affordable and appropriate reproductive-health
information and services are also lacking," it said in a
statement. "In addition, poverty and unemployment put adolescents
in a vulnerable position."

WHO cited studies in the Philippines showing that 23 percent
of people between 15 and 24 years old "had engaged in premarital
sex, 70 percent of them without the use of contraceptives".

"In Mongolia, up to 58 percent of sexually transmitted
infections occur among the youths," it added.

Shigeru Omi, WHO regional director, said the global health
body aims to address the issues of adolescent health during a
consultative meeting in Manila next week.

He said the meeting would review adolescent health programs
and see how Asian countries can work together to achieve the
common goal of improving adolescent reproductive health.

"Social norms regarding sexual activity and sexual behavior
have changed, but the environment to support the adolescents to
face these changes has not," he noted. "Governments must allocate
more funds and improve services for adolescents."

He said the Manila meeting, which aims to develop a strategy
to for adolescent sexual and reproductive health, was being
organized in coordination with the United Nations Children's
Fund, the United Nations Population Fund and other partner
agencies.