University of the Philippines Manila position statement on the Department of Health's proposed condom access program in public high schools

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;">Consequently, abstinence only programs may not be enough to lower the risk of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV AIDS). Paradoxically, in another study, it was shown that the more strongly abstinence was emphasized by the law, the higher the average teenage pregnancy and birth rates were.2 In fact, the same study concluded that while abstinence-only programs were not successful, areas that taught comprehensive sex and/or HIV education and covered abstinence along with contraception and condom access tended to be more successful, and had the lowest teen pregnancy rates. (see full-text for continuation)</p>