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| Sunday, 17 November 2002 |
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Out of which 90% is from the undeveloped countries. It is a debilitating disease, creeping unsuspectingly and victims face a slow and agonising death. In Sri Lanka, it's more of an awareness problem where teens are unaware that a few minutes fling with a person carrying the AIDS virus could be his doom. The gravity of the illness and the cost factor for medication are virtually unknown. The killer disease is now very much closer home with numbers of AIDS patients in Sri Lanka on the rise. Most young people are definitely unaware of the killing consequences of sleeping with different partners. Society has become more liberal especially with regard to sex, values are overlooked, and people have a not-so-severe outlook on life. According to the UNDP, the number of HIV infected individuals in Sri Lanka would increase to 80,000 in 2005 while HIV prevalence will increase by 5.4 per 1000 among those aged 15-64. Thus, can we afford to be easy cruising where AIDS is concerned? What do you think teens? Sumali, 20 Society has changed, everyone is more active now. There are lots more people - teens who are more sexually active. Homosexual relationships are on the increase. Some people seem to be following the adage, `variety is the spice of life', they don't bother to stick to one partner. Pre-marital sex among teens is on the increase. Their very liberal approach to life has become a threat to their lives where AIDS is concerned. The age of innocence is dead and most of them have experienced sex in advance. Acceding to the figures, AIDS has a lot to do with homosexuality. And it's the males who are more prone to carry it since they have more partners than women. Toby, 20 Society is corrupt, false values and loss of respect for true values is on the rise. What teens believed in the early days, is nonexistent now. People mature and their views expand. Pre-marital sex is OK, as long as it's safe. It has become the trend that can't be stopped. Irrespective of what's said and done, they will do it on the sly. I'm not trying to promote teen sex or anything but they might as well take measures to play it safe. Priyanthi, 19 What I feel is that people are lot more liberal where sex is concerned. Those days the accepted norm was to stay a virgin till you are married and stick to one partner. The stigma prevented many youngsters having sex before marriage. In a way that acted as a shield against AIDS. The problem with undeveloped countries is that they are not aware about the precautions. The economical hardships , they can be easily persuaded. They adopt the liberal behaviour of the west. To curb AIDS, you need to have restraint and discipline. However, much you promote medicine and precautions, if it doesn't come from within, it won't work. Vindya, 19 Our people need to be more aware. Especially the men refuse to accept the fact that they are infected or that they are prone to AIDS infection. Also because pre marital and extra marital sex is on the rise during the past few years due to economical pressures. The marriageable age has gone up and now couples don't seem to be taking precautions. And also thanks to western culture! at various musical nights and musical events that take place in our country, lots of sexual acts are performed and our youth are easily drawn in. They are exposed to booze and drugs as well. To curb AIDS, we should increase awareness, and promote taking precautions, taking off the taboo. And especially to change the attitude of our people. Terese, 18 It's scary. We need more awareness programs. Parents should be advised to get more close to their young children. Society has changed, values have deteriorated. Parents can be a bit more open minded with their children and enable the offspring to discuss such serious topics so that the youngsters know there aren't any inhibitions. Nilan, 18 The best thing is to educate people. Sex education in schools is hardly enough since the introduction to sex, that is given to the small children is utterly misguiding. The lack of knowledge might mislead them to do the wrong thing, at the wrong place with the wrong people. Adults are responsible, children should be able to have open discussions regarding such serious matters with parents. Adequate education is the best way to control AIDS. Even though prostitution is prohibited here, they should be educated to use proper precautions so that they save themselves as well as others a lot of trouble. by Umangi de Mel |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome, (AIDS) is the most dreaded disease that has
hit the universe. Statistics show that the number of AIDS patients in Sri
Lanka are swelling. Forty million of the worlds population is affected by
this dreaded disease.
