Sexual health needs of adolescents

The first sexual health policy for Malta has just been drawn up by the Health Division.

The policy will address sexual health in all sectors of the community, particularly in the case of the sexual health needs of adolescents.

Speaking at the opening of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study (HBSC) spring meeting in Gozo, Health Minister Louis Deguara said the questionnaire that will accompany the study, to collect data for the forthcoming study, will include mandatory questions about sexual health.

"It is imperative to have this data if we are to continue to develop policies and strategies relating to the sexual health of young people," he said.

Researchers from European countries, Canada and the United States are in Gozo to discuss health behaviour among children.

Marianne Massa, principal health promotion officer within the Health Promotion Department, told The Times the report will focus mostly on obesity, since Malta had an alarmingly high percentage of obese children.

In fact, 16.9 per cent of 13-year-old and 11.7 per cent of 15-year-old girls and 13.5 per cent of 13-year-old and 11.7 per cent of 15-year-old boys are obese, the 2002 HBSC study showed.

"Obesity is a problem among all ages in Malta," Ms Massa said, adding that obesity was a disease that could lead to a number of complications.

She said preparations for the gathering of information - which will start in January - are ongoing. One of the aspects the department will be looking at is the food children buy from school tuck shops.

A pilot test was underway at the Zurrieq boy's secondary school, where pupils were being made aware what food was good for them and how to prepare food.

Students have also been informed about the benefits of physical activity. The last HBSC study showed that only 24.5 per cent of 15-year-olds meet the physical activity guidelines, placing Malta in the 24th place among 36 countries.