Two weeks on from the controversial distribution of condoms on University campus, the Maltese population still continues to feel the urge to voice their disgust at this act of "promoting promiscuity". Somehow I find it hard to believe that our pious youth would fall to the temptation of fornication and other acts of immoral intimacy only when given a form of contraception.

In fact this couldn't be further from the truth, as a recent health interview survey carried out as part of an EU-wide exercise (June 3) showed that 62 per cent of those who are sexually active in Malta never use any form of contraception, while over 75 per cent reported never using a condom. This figure obviously includes married couples who are in a stable monogamous relationship and wish to conceive children; however, it also gives a national picture of the use of condoms.

This may be good news for the conservative moralists out there; unfortunately, this does not translate to safe sexual practices as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancies have increased exponentially in the last 30 years. What this means is that on a national level we have failed to pass the right message to our children regarding sex. Truth be told, this is usually no message of educational value whatsoever, as parents hush up and scold their children when sexual connotations come up and these matters are swept under the carpet. As a result, teenagers are forced to form their own picture regarding sexuality - one which is influenced by media, pornography and social peers. The end product of this lovely concoction is a clueless, rebellious, risk-taking bag of raging hormones that is willing to do anything in order to show what a "macho" he is to his friends. Females do not fare much better either. And what are they up against?

According to WHO estimates in western Europe, each year there are one million new cases of gonorrhoea, 140,000 new cases of syphilis, five million new cases of chlamydia and about 720,000 cases of individuals living with HIV. In addition there is genital herpes, genital warts caused by HPV, trichomoniasis and Hepatitis B/C. If left untreated, collectively these may cause cancer, infertility, pregnancy-related problems, neurological problems, liver failure and death.

The painful truth is that Maltese statistics (seen at the local GU clinic) fall well within the range of the EU average. According to WHO estimates there are a potential of 13,000 new STI cases in Malta every year (some of which remain without symptoms) and due to the taboo nature of this ailment many cases on our island are going untreated. The best way to avoid STIs is to not have sex at all. However, this is neither an attractive nor a realistic message, for even in a widely Catholic country such as ours has the message of abstinence been close to discouraging irresponsible promiscuous behaviour. The change in mentality has to start at a young age and sexual health education should start at home with the ABC of STI prevention - A: abstinence from promiscuity; B: be faithful and behaviour change; C: condoms.

And yes, condoms form an important role in the prevention of spread of these STIs. One must not be naïve and should face up to the reality that sexual intercourse occurs outside marriage - news flash!! It is our moral obligation to protect our next generation from harm's way, and this is done by taking all precautions through proper education for a safe and healthy sexuality. In the face of these epidemiological facts, those who wish to dip their finger into the cauldron without protection can do so at their own risk.