Health officials urged Pattaya teens to have safe sex on Valentine’s Day
In a city known as a sex hub, Pattaya’s health officials sent a message to the city’s teenagers on Valentine’s Day (yesterday).
Health officials urged Pattaya teens to practice safe sex on Valentine’s Day. In a lecture to students at a school, the Public Health Department’s Nurse Na-anya Jantrakard urged sexually active teens to use condoms, to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies.
Nurse Na-anya pointed out that although condom use has increased in recent years, many young people trust their partners too much without knowing if they are having sex with multiple partners. She said that even teens in serious relationships should wear condoms.
Nurse Na-anya said that many civic groups advocate abstinence, but this approach has proven to be less effective than promoting safe sex, Pattaya Mail reported.
This news comes after it was reported in December that the percentage of AIDS infections has been rising among young Thais. According to the director of the Disease Control Department’s Division of AIDS, nearly two-thirds of new HIV infections were in young people.
The director, Dr Cheewanan Lertpiriyasuwat, said this was much higher than the global average of around 30%.
According to the AIDS Epidemic Model, about 6,500 Thai citizens are likely to have contracted HIV in 2021. That year, 9,300 people in Thailand died from AIDS, Thai PBS reported.
Cheewanan said that one factor in the spread of AIDS is people hooking up with strangers online.
In January, it was reported that Pattaya’s sex workers were using condoms less than in pre-Covid days, according to disease control officials. Nurse Na-anya said the number of reported cases of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases has gone up since 2019.
Valentine’s Day is a popular occasion for couples to celebrate their love, but it is also a time to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health. Pattaya health officials are encouraging more young people to prioritize safe sex practices.
