New survey data released in conjunction with World Contraception
Day on Sunday, shows that unprotected sex is on the increase among
young people in Singapore
The survey done by GFK Healthcare said 61 per cent sexually
active young people between the ages of 16 and 19 surveyed have had
sex without contraception with a new partner.
That’s a 12 per cent increase from the previous survey done in
2009.
And only 23 per cent of young people in Singapore consider
themselves to be very well informed about contraception
options.
This compares with 51 per cent globally.
The survey, which is supported by a coalition of 10 international
organisations with an interest in sexual health said there's a
significant disconnect between young people's attitudes to
accepting responsibility for contraception and what they are doing
in their day to day lives.
It added that the results also highlight that confusion around
contraceptive options is still widespread, with highly unreliable
contraceptive methods, such as the "withdrawal" method still being
viewed as effective.
The survey involved 25 countries and over 5,000 young people aged
between 15 and 24 across Asia Pacific, Europe, North American and
Latin America.
The survey results are significant as the level of unplanned
pregnancies is a major global concern, particularly among young
people.
Worldwide, about a third of the 205 million pregnancies which occur
each year are unplanned.
In Singapore, it's about 2,000.
President of the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, Edward
Ong, said with an increasing number of unwanted and unplanned
pregnancies as well as abortions, providing education and
supportive services is critical, especially for young
people.
One healthcare group in Singapore that is stepping to the plate is
the Singapore Medical Group.
It will distribute educational booklets at its two gynaecology
centres in Singapore.
-- 938Live
