AHI Commemorates World Youth Day at City Genus Tutorial Centre

AHI joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Youth Day on Wednesday 10 August 2011 at City Genus tutorial center, Abule-Oja, Lagos with 180 young people present at the event. The purpose of this activity was to provide young people with life-enhancing information on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in order to improve their health status and well-being as well as commemorate the World Youth Day with the theme ‘Dialogue and Mutual Understanding…’ The interactive dialogue was a discussion on young people’s SRH issues and the factual information and services they require to address these issues. Special emphasis was laid on signs and symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), assertiveness skills and menstrual cycle. This session provided an opportunity for young people to express their opinions, ask questions, and clarify issues.

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During the session, the facilitator and young people discussed the challenges young people face and the need to be equipped with skills and information to address the challenges. This overview subsequently led to a discussion on assertiveness and the importance of assertiveness skills in different scenarios of peer pressure, engaging in premarital sex, sexual harassment, drug abuse and examination malpractice. In addition, a role play was demonstrated to show a female young person who displayed the assertiveness skills to address peer pressure into a dating relationship a male to address using illicit drugs.

The segment on menstruation described the process of menstrual cycle and hygiene and the appropriate materials to use during menses. Myths and misconceptions such as having sex intercourse to reduce menstrual pain among others were dispelled during the discussion and the physiological explanation to this was discussed. This issue raised a lot of questions and comments which were then addressed during the session. Some of the questions include: ‘Is staphylococcus an STI?’, ‘Is it good to engage in anal sex?’, ‘Can a male contract STI form a female if condom is used?’

Briefly, the common STIs and their signs and symptoms such as itching, ulcers and sores on the genitals, painful urination etc. was discussed. Furthermore, young people were advised to seek help and visit a health provider especially when they notice some of the signs and symptoms mentioned because STIs can be cured.

The dialogue was an opportunity to inform young people about their body and health and to adopt positive and health sexual behaviors. The Growing up newsletters were shared among young people and series of energizers were introduced. It was a successful outing owing to the enthusiasm and interests the young people demonstrated during the session.