‘Practise safe sex’

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TLTB workers in the North with their red coloured theme office decoration and attire during World AIDS Day awareness campaign last week. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI

YOUNG people have been urged to use protection if they are thinking of having sex this festive season.

North reproductive health clinic in charge Dr Waisale Turuva said majority of those who were diagnosed with HIV this year were between the ages of 19 and 35 years in the division.

Dr Turuva said since January, the North recorded 14 new cases of HIV taking the total number of cases to 102 in the division.

Realistically, he said those young people thinking of engaging in sex needed to seek protection which was freely provided in clinics around the country.

“I cannot force young people and tell them to abstain because sex is human nature,” he said.

“Therefore, as a medical personnel I can only warn young people to use protection and also to get checked in our clinics during the festival period as this is the best way of knowing one’s health status.

“From a personal viewpoint, those who are still pursuing their education and are on school break need to abstain and focus on their future instead of becoming emotionally involved with a partner which will just complicate things for them.

“For those who have come of age and are thinking of having sex with their partners, please be safe and condomise, but never engage in sexual activities under the influence of alcohol.”

Dr Turuva said majority of the young people visiting their clinics had contracted sexually transmitted infections which rendered them vulnerable to developing the virus.

Yesterday, a team from the clinic visited the lands department and iTaukei Land Trust Board office in the North to present them with prizes for decorating and using their office to create awareness during World AIDS Day which was observed on December 1.

Various government department offices in the north were involved in the awareness campaign last week.

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