Survey indicates children sexually active at age 9- Dr. Irad Potter
During the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s testimony before the SFC, the Member for the second district Honourable J. Alvin Christopher enquired during the hearing about the Youth Secondary Schools Health Survey noted in the brief given by the panel on page 11.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Irad Potter stated that is was an initiative by the National HIV/AIDS Programme that concentrated on knowledge, attitude, skills and practices among our school age teenagers ages 13-15.
Dr. Potter told the SFC that the survey was still being analysed and that the results were not yet available.
Second District representative Christopher further enquired, if these were sexually active 13-15 olds. Dr. Potter answered in the affirmative and stated that earlier they did a survey that indicated that children were active at age nine.
The Chief Medical Officer also told the House of Assembly Select Committee that in 2009 they conducted a global health survey, which indicated that among students who ever had sexual intercourse before the age of 14 years, 88% were boys and 59% were girls.
Sandy Lane Centre has its limitations as residential programme is needed
The Member for the second district, Honourable Christopher, enquired about the Sandy Lane Centre and questioned, if the programme was still effective?
In response the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Mrs. Petrona Smith-Davies told the committee that they do not have a residential programme so those who have relapses may do better, if they were referred to a full residential programme.
Mrs. Smith-Davies further stated that they were working on proposals to present to Cabinet in the near future.
Minister Skelton contradicts his PS- Smith-Davies
PS-Smith-Davies informed the SFC that they were assigned the government vessel the MV Vigilant and stated that once repaired it would be transferred to Virgin Gorda and used for medical evacuation purposes. The operating cost through 2013 would be, according to the PS, $147, 800.00. The figure includes three (3) licensed local captains being paid an on-call allowance.
The Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn asked the PS when the vessel would be fully operational. To which she advised the Committee that the vessel was schedule to be up and running in the next two weeks at which time the Ministry would have the vessel cleaned and painted.
However, the Minister for Health and Social Development Ronnie W. Skelton contradicted his PS by telling the SFC “a definitive answer could not be given at this time.”
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20 Responses to “Survey indicates children sexually active at age 9- Dr. Irad Potter”
I am with you 100%
You are talking about 9-10pm at UPs, check those kids between 330pm and onwards. They have that place like their own. I remember growing up, as soon as 315 hit, a group of us walking heading home. Do you think we could have been outside popeyes, happy lions, butterfly and marlenes chilling after 315pm???? 1st them/owners/workers would ask you if you aint have a home to go to at this hour. Matter of fact they find out who you for and they would make calls or pass on messages. Also my working mother would call the house by a certain time and do roll calls. See if we all came home. In the afternoon, we had home work, wash dishes, clothes to iron, sometimes your where given days when its your turn to wash ur own clothes, babysit siblings or the neighbour kids, help each other with homework, etc.
I have a 6yr old and I dont want to think in the next 3 yrs I will be finding condoms. I will DIE!!!!! My 6yr old is asking questions that never pop into my head til i was in my teen and still didnt know how to approach my open mom with the questions. Not of fear but i feel wrong for asking at that age. They are inquisitive and can be easily influence if you dont drill in them head, right, wrong and build up their self esteem! We will be grand parents before 40.
We as parents need to let our kids be kids but put some responsibilty on them idle shoulders. My son is 6 and he knows he has chores to do (pack ur snacks, unpack lunch bag, put socks in shoes by the door, etc.) You think at the age of 9+ i could be having sex. HA, my mother made random calls and lets not talk bout the neighbours/ spies lol they all work together to keep the neigbourhood kids in check!! We didnt had cells or beeper but i can tell u my parents used to know what went down before they got home. In my time you think at the age of 9+ we could of had cell phone or beepers or other hand held device? Some parents are seriously to blame of many outcomes of their kids.