If you don’t want HIV, babies, use protection

It is surprising news indeed that a huge number of pregnancies occurring today are unwanted. Surprise because Kenya has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa. One naturally assumes that with increased literacy, people are generally better informed about things in general, and matters to do with reproductive health in particular.

Apparently not. A study has revealed that despite access to information on reproductive health, Kenya’s youth are not practicing safe sex. This is obvious by the huge number of unwanted pregnancies, indicating that many don’t bother with condoms before having sex or other family planning methods.

The worrying thing about this is that it has a huge bearing on transmission of the HIV virus that causes Aids as well as its prevention.

The more people are having unprotected sex, the more likely they are to get HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is clear that the message of safe sex is slackening, perhaps because of data that suggests infection rates for HIV have dropped, or abuse of alcohol which lowers inhibitions.

Casual sex

Regardless, something has to be done. The commoditisation of sex through literature, films and other influences have not helped. Casual sex has become a bit too casual and now the consequences are there to see. The youth are having sex at younger ages and they are not bothering with protection.

But there is another implication which many might find unpalatable yet is nevertheless true. If so many of the babies born today are unwanted, it naturally follows that abortion is also on the increase. The problem with abortion is that since it is illegal except for medical reasons, it is done quietly and not always in a safe manner, putting at risk the lives of both the unborn and the mother.

It is clear that more education is needed to emphasise the importance of safe sex and abstention, even if only to stem the tide of unsafe abortions and wanton transmission of HIV.