SEXUALLY ACTIVE minors can no longer be prevented from buying condoms or any other form of contraceptives. In fact, a policy approved by Cabinet requires adults to advise and facilitate minors if there is a need.
Speaking at The Gleaner's Editors' Forum last Tuesday, Dr. Peter Figueroa, the Ministry of Health's Chief of Epidemiology and AIDS listed this a positive recent development in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
"Society must come to grips with understanding how to deal with sexually active young people. A positive development is that Cabinet has recently passed a policy concerning access of minors, that is children under 16, to family planning," Dr. Figueroa said.
The "Access of Minors to Contraceptives" policy came into being this month and states that: "If a child is sexually active and approaches a health worker, and if the worker is unable to convince the child to stop being sexually active, then the health worker is free to advise and place the young person on some form of contraceptive method," Dr. Figueroa said.
He was concerned that cultural attitudes to sex often meant that young people were frustrated in their efforts to access critical means of protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy.
Although the policy is in place, young people may still not be able to access the contraceptives.
DENIED ACCESS
"The problem is that access to condoms or other forms of family planning methods is not always an easy thing for young persons. If they go to buy it in a pharmacy or shop, sometimes the older person who is behind the counter refuses to sell it or gives them a lecture and makes remarks that are very embarrassing," Dr. Peter Figueroa said.
Andy Smith said he has been buying condoms since he was 14 but has never been prevented by any adult in pharmacies or shops.
"I just go to the pharmacy and buy what I want and that's it. I've never had a problem. In fact it's the other way around, sometimes my friends are the ones who are shy to buy it and I have had to buy it for them," Mr. Smith said.
Vernon Robinson, proprietor of Robinson's Drug Store on Spanish Town Road said people are more sexually aware and it was inconceivable that any professional should impede youngsters' attempt to acquire protection.
"When sex is all around and people are so sexually aware, it wouldn't be helping the young people in the least to not sell them contraceptives. I think that is a more uptown notion, that children should be lectured for being sexually active. We sell the condoms to the boys who come in here. It's better for them to be using it than not," Mr. Robinson said.
COUNSELLING
Carlene Huxtable, operations manager at the Monarch Pharmacy in Ligunea, St. Andrew said her organisation's official position is to put the safety and welfare of young people first.
"Our staff position is that even though they are not supposed to be having sex at that age, at least they are being responsible and our duty is to assist them."
The recent regulation that made "morning after" pills available without prescription, means easier access for all women to this form of contraceptive. A popular one among women is Postinor, which is also opted for by adolescents.
Pharmacist, Grace Orridge, also of the Monarch pharmacy, said pharmacists have enlightened professional attitudes about the need for sexually active young people to protect themselves.
"Pharmacists are trained and understand that a condition of selling Postinor over the counter is to counsel the persons who are buying it," Mrs. Orridge said.
Counselling involves asking relevant questions to ensure correct use of the drug, such as whether the individual has used the pill before and when was the date of the last menstrual cycle.
"We accept that young people are sexually active and have enlightened attitudes about it. Many pharmacists are young people themselves and understand the needs and thinking of young people," Mrs. Orridge said.
Studies have shown that some 36 per cent of Jamaican youth between the ages of 10 and 19 years are sexually active.
