STUDENTS HAVE been urged to abstain from sexual intercourse as they could contract the deadly disease, HIV/AIDS.
The call came recently from Andrea Campbell, co-ordinator of the Behav-iour Change Programme, during an address to grades three to six students at the Hope Valley Experimental School at Mona in St. Andrew.
The programme is a component of the National HIV/Sexually Transmitted Disease Programme at the Health Ministry.
Miss Campbell informed the students that every week at least two babies were born with the virus.
Unprotected sex
She said the disease could be passed on if a person had unprotected sex with an infected person, through shared needles and if pregnant women had the disease.
"A person can't catch AIDS if you rub against another person with AIDS, or if you help them," she pointed out.
Miss Campbell said children should tell their parents, guardians or teachers if older persons were touching them on their private parts or any other part of their bodies. "Try and talk to someone with whom you feel comfortable. Don't be afraid or embarrassed," she urged.
She pointed out that in some cases, the children themselves encouraged sexual advancements made on them because they were given money or valuables.
"Some children will not speak because they get big money and they come to school and boast on their friends. Don't do that, that's wrong," she told the students.
Principal of the school, Sharon Williams, told JIS News that cases of incest and molestation were a problem in the society.
"Even last week a grade six student came and told me that a man that lived in her yard was interfering with her... I took the appropriate action and I'm encouraging other persons to do the same when they are entrusted with such information," she said.
The talk was put on by the Kingston Junior Chamber to mark Universal Day for the Rights of the Child which was celebrated today.
