Sexual health policy is certainly a must

A few weeks ago, the General Practice Research Database, a UK Department of Health funded body, released a set of figures relating to the prescription of contraceptive pills to girls aged 11 and 12 years in the United Kingdom. The number of pre-teenage girls on the Pill had increased five-fold in the last decade and was estimated at about 1,000 girls. The very same database also revealed that at least 58,000 children aged 15 were on the Pill. This led to a swathe of controversial and opposing opinions.

On the one end, family campaigners considered these results as solid proof that children were being sexualised at an ever younger age and this when a controversy rages in the UK about introducing sex education at primary school level. On the other hand, promoters of sex education see the figures as a sign of “improved sex education” and a willingness by young teenagers to handle their personal health issues. This same group is accusing the family campaigners of spreading moral panic and manipulating the figures.

The reality on the ground may relatively prove that, to some extent, they are both right.

The UK has a worrying teenage pregnancy rate coupled with an increasing teenage abortion rate. Many suggest this is the result of lack of awareness in children and teenagers about the risks of sex and pregnancy. In England and Wales, sex education is not compulsory in schools as parents can refuse to let their children take part in the lessons. Beyond the basics, information about contraception and safe sex are on a discretionary level.

The prevailing situation regarding a sex education policy across Europe is relatively more comprehensive. France introduced sex education as part of the school curriculum in 1973. Schools are expected to provide up to 40 hours of sex education. Germany did the same in 1970 and Finland usually incorporates it in various obligatory courses. Sweden and Switzerland got their act together way back in the 1950s. In the case of the first, the subject is introduced to children as early as when aged seven. The Netherlands too is among the staunch promoters of sex education having developed a comprehensive package ubiquitously named Long Live Love during the 1980s.

Up till now, Poland has lagged severely behind other European nations, especially after 1989, when the subject practically disappeared from the school curriculum. It was only introduced last year as compulsory (unless, of course, parents object!). Italy introduced sex education in 1999.

Interestingly, The Netherlands has one of the lowest rates of female pregnancies aged 15-19 years (8.1 per 1,000) as opposed to England and Wales, which have almost 800 per cent more (62.6 per 1,000). In this context, scientific studies have demonstrated that sex education programmes increase awareness, reduce the likelihood of unwanted pregnancies and stem the figures of sexually-transmitted diseases. The local situation is, putting it bluntly, pitiful. So far, one cannot speak of a proper national sexual health policy. Sex education in our schools is patchy, if not completely non-existent and still not considered as a proper subject in the curriculum. It is only now after 10 years of incubation and three different drafts that the government has endorsed the contents of a policy that should be presented shortly.

In all fairness, the policy was to be launched last year but, given the prevailing economic climate then, the presentation had to be postponed for a year. From what we have read so far, the policy should not only point the direction but will also indicate the overall strategy for implementation.

The last policy updated some six years ago has been described by experts as riddled with inaccuracies. Hopefully, next time round it will be a comprehensive one aiming to address the major issues such as public policy, sexual health education in schools, the reorientation of sexual healthcare and strengthening the research and statistical database. In this sense, the presentation and actual implementation will address a worrying phenomenon we have witnessed in recent years. There really is no time to lose!

Statistics have revealed that a proportion of very young people are having high-risk, casual sex while being totally unprepared for the attendant consequences. An unpublished study this newspaper had access to shows that, in 2006, up to 60 patients (out of an odd 1,300) who visited the Genitourinary Clinic (GU) were under 19 and 65 per cent of them were still attending school. This same report concluded that the vast majority of youngsters never used any form of contraception or protection and that half of them admitted to casual sex, sometimes with people whose name they did not even know!

Other statistics regarding teenage pregnancies and an increase in the registered people seeking treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases make the case for a clear and resolute sexual health policy a pressing issue indeed.

Evidently, it is high time Malta has a comprehensive and standardised sex education programme.

We have yet to see how this policy will be received by all those closely associated with this issue. In this sense, and as far as education is concerned, no one should be discriminated against. Sex education should be about facts and making an informed decision. One understands the complexity of the local scene and the moral issues at stake. However, ultimately, sex education should not be about scare tactics because this will not take us very far and will certainly not help with any long-term solutions. This type of education should be about communication, information, access, the ability to say no and to ensure that every individual is responsible for his/her personal choices and decisions. Sexual health includes far more than unwanted disease or avoiding pregnancy. If we truly love and respect our children, this is one policy we cannot afford to get wrong!

info@carolinegalea.com