Pupils of Nii Oglie Model ‘1’ Basic School at Nmlitsakpo in the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality, have been sensitised on the dangers of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancy.
The sensitisation was held by the Kpone-Katamanso Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in collaboration with the Municipal Health Directorate on the theme “Awareness Creation on STIs and Teenage Pregnancy.” The programme which was held separately for the upper primary and Junior High School (JHS) levels, saw pupils interacting with the resource persons and asking questions on the topic.
Ms Emelia Ofori Agyemang, the HIV Coordinator for the Municipal Health Directorate, stated that STIs such as gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and Human Papillomavirus caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites are transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. Ms Agyemang, who is also the midwife in charge at the Bediako Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound, added that STIs could also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby through breastfeeding or through infected blood infusion and sharing of sharp objects.
She encouraged the public to ensure that items used in barbering salons were properly sanitised in a functional stabiliser, to avoid contamination. She stressed that sharing toothbrushes was also a high-risk factor for disease transmission and advised the pupils to eschew such a practice.
Ms Agyemang explained that the infections were in stages, differentiating that HIV was the virus, while Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was when the affected person’s virus had progressed. She stated that the signs and symptoms of HIV included fever, diarrhoea, vaginal and penal discharges, frequent and painful urination, loss of weight, and breakdown of the immune system.
Ms Agyemang outlined some preventive measures that were abstinence, faithfulness, use of condoms, testing, and vaccination, and urged them to practice abstinence as teenagers to prevent unwanted pregnancies and infections. Ms Henrietta Agyeiwaa Gyebi, the Adolescent Health Coordinator for Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Health Directorate, indicated that for the pupils to achieve their aims and objectives for a better future, they should study hard and resist bad peer pressure, especially within the society.
“Many young girls are deceived by older men who offer them gifts and money,” she said, urging them to be vigilant. Ms Doris Mensah, the Girls’ Health Coordinator Education Officer for Kpone-Katamanso advised pupils and students who are sexually active to try and put a stop to it by engaging in moral activities. The pupils expressed gratitude to the health professionals for the education and pleaded for more sensitisation on how to improve and live a healthy lifestyle for a better future and productivity.
Source: GNA
