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| Sunday, 16 November 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Compiled by Carol Aloysius Young lives at risk by Carol Aloysius
Sexually Transmitted Diseases including HIV/AIDS, drug addiction, alcoholism, heart disease, diabetes and several other diseases, hitherto regarded as diseases of the elderly are increasingly becoming diseases of young people instead of the other way round. Considering the fact that never before have there been so many teenagers alive at any one time this is hardly surprising. Sri Lanka is no exception. Worldwide there are now more than one billion adolescents aged 10-19 in the world. The fact that the vast majority of them - 85 percent of them live in developing countries, merely underlines two important facts that Poverty is very much a contributory factor in sexual behaviour especially among the young, and that lack of adequate parenting, guidance and information can compound their vulnerability. Poverty is what drives young girls from impoverished homes to prostitution and prompts them to have intercourse with men they would otherwise avoid for the sake of gifts and money. Poverty again, is the reason why so many of young boys in this country, with few other options in their lives are increasingly finding that engaging in commercial sex with foreigners, again in return for money or gifts is a lucrative means of income.
According to the State of the World Population 2003 released by the UNFPA recently, half of some 5 million new cases of HIV infection worldwide are to be found in young adults aged between 15-24 years. An estimated 6,000 youth a day become infected with HIV/AIDS - one in every 14 seconds - the majority of them young women. Gender-wise adolescent girls have been found to be more vulnerable to both STDs and HIV/AIDS because of the way their bodies have been made which makes them more susceptible to infection when practising unprotected sex, and the prevailing gender and cultural norms in the societies they live in. Socially we are told by the State of the world Report, young women also face higher risks. Apart from HIV/AIDS the number of Sexually Transmitted diseases( STDs) are also on an upward curve. In Sri Lanka, the victims are mostly from low income group with the highest number of young men living in coastal areas in the vicinity of hotels where they are easy bait to paedophile. But sexual diseases are not the only risks that young people face today. Changing lifestyles and a more permissive society has opened the door to a freer use of drugs; from drinking alcohol and cigarette smoking to injecting themselves with dangerous drugs such as heroin, opium, cannabis. The recent news of the drug named Ecstasy which is known to have dangerous side effects on the user, is currently doing its round at night clubs poses a new risk to young people in Sri Lanka. It is this risky behaviour compounded by job frustration and lack of good counselling services that further jeopardises the health of young people. Yet another disturbing trend in young people's health is the recent disclosure that an increasing number of them have become afflicted with diseases which until recently were categorised as "diseases of the old". Diabetes is increasingly being seen in youth and even children below 15 years, while doctors have expressed concerns over the number of very young cardiac patients being admitted to their wards. The bulk of our youth appears to fall into two definite categories; the over-indulged and the deprived. The former are usually obese and end up suffering from asthma as well as diabetes as a result of eating chocolates, pastries and potato chips and drinking gallons of fizzy drinks instead of water. The other half suffer from malnutrition which leads to low weight and stunting along with a break down of their immune systems. Only a handful seem to tread the middle path between these two extremes, eating healthy food and living healthy lifestyles. Young people's needs differ according to their age, sexual experiences and other social characteristics. This is why Reproductive Health Education is so important to them. Starting with schoolchildren, through university, young people need more inputs in sexual health, in life skills, in moral values and overall in responsible behaviour. The UNFPA Report rightly affirms the importance of investing in adolescents' health and rights. It is only by creating healthy environments that are conducive to young people that we can help them enjoy their life's potential to the maximum. ************ The female condom The female condom is a barrier method of contraception that is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, provided it is used correctly and consistently. Its ability to protect against STDs, including HIV is also promising. This female-controlled barrier method may be especially useful for women at risk of STDs who have difficulty convincing their male partners to use latex condoms. Female condoms are made of a polyurethane plastic that is sturdier than male latex condoms, potentially offering less frequent breakage, improved comfort, and longer shelf life, even under unfavourable storage conditions. This device consists of a soft, loose-fitting sheath and two flexible polyurethane rings at each end. One ring is at the closed end of the sheath and serves as an insertion mechanism and anchor inside the vagina. The outer ring forms the external edge of the device and remains outside the vagina after insertion, thus providing protection to the labia and the base of the penis during intercourse. This design may reduce the potential for transfer of infectious organisms between sex partners, particularly genital ulcer diseases. Unlike latex male condoms, which are weakened by using oil-based lubricants, the female condom may be used with any type of lubricant without compromising its strength. It is prelubricated, but more lubricant may be added by users. One size, one-time use While this device is currently approved for a single use only, studies are under way to determine if the female condom can be cleaned and used more than once without lowering efficacy or compromising safety. Fitting by a health professional is not required as the device does not have to be precisely placed over the cervix. Laboratory studies have found that the female condom is impermeable to various STD organisms, including HIV and other viruses. Q: How effective is the female condom and contraceptive? A: Its ability to prevent pregnancy is similar to other barrier methods, such as the diaphragm and latex male condom. If used correctly and consistently every time, the female condom is 95 per cent effective. The female condom should not be used by people who are sensitive to polyurethane or silicone. The device is made of a thin, soft polyurethane sheath and two flexible poly-urethane rings. The inner ring is closed and helps with insertion and placement. The outer ring and about an inch of the sheath remain outside the vagina during use. Each condom is prelubricated with silicone, and a container of water-based lubricant is supplied for those who prefer more lubrication. There is one size only, no fitting is required. The female condom is designed to fit most women. ************ The 'sweet food' disease World Diabetes Day was on November 14. Diabetes is no longer a disease of the elderly. The number of diabetic patients have increased 3 fold in the past few years with an increasing number of young victims. The following article discusses frequently asked questions about Diabetes. Q: Why do people get diabetes? A: The exact reason why people get diabetes is not known. However, it is thought to arise from an interaction between the genes and the environment. In other words if one is predisposed to develop diabetes in view of his or her genetic make up, that person would manifest the disease when exposed to a particular environmental stimulus. The environment factors incriminated in the causation of diabetes include a rich diet, lack of exercise, obesity and mental stress. Q: How does one know that a person is genetically predisposed to develop diabetes? A: One very important factor is the presence of a family history of diabetes in the blood relatives of the person. These include parents, children, uncles, aunts and cousins. If a person happens to be a twin and diabetic the chance of the other twin developing the illness is almost 100%. In the presence of a family history it is mandatory to exclude diabetes even though the person may not be having symptoms of the illness. Q: How is diabetes diagnosed? A: In the presence of symptoms it could be diagnosed by carrying out a random blood sugar estimation. If one does not have symptoms it could be diagnosed by testing the blood sugar either fasting or after a meal. A preliminary test is to examine urine for sugar, however absence of sugar in the urine does not exclude it. Q: Why is diabetes considered to be such a debilitating illness? A: One reason is that the complications of diabetes can affect almost all the organs in the body, another reason is that, once affected, there is no permanent cure. Q: What are the complications of diabetes? A: The common complications include heart disease, kidney failure blindness, strokes, neuritis (affection of the nerves giving rise to pain in the limbs) and obstruction of blood supply to the limbs, read 689 for other complications. Q: How does one know that the blood supply to the limbs is affected in diabetes? A: As in the case of diabetic heart disease (mentioned below) the blood vessels supplying the limbs particularly the legs are affected by atherosclerosis. The patient complains of pain in the legs when walking and is relieved by rest. If not treated, later it could cause foot ulcers which, if severe, would even cause gangrene and result in amputation of the limb. Diabetic foot ulcers could be prevented by maintaining proper foot hygiene by wearing suitable footwear and keeping the skin clean. Q: How does one know that the kidneys are affected in diabetes? A: The most serious manifestation of diabetic kidney disease is kidney failure which comes on after about 15 to 20 years from the onset of the disease. Before patients develop kidney failure they go through less serious phases of the illness the treatment of which could prevent the progression to terminal kidney failure. During this phase the illness could manifest as hypertension and the presence of protein in the urine. Q: How does one prevent the eye being affected by diabetes? A: The technical term for diabetes affecting the eye is diabetic retinopathy. Retina is the part of the eye where the nerve fibres are located. During the early stages of diabetic eye disease the patient may not exhibit any visual disturbances. It is the responsibility of the patient to get the eyes examined at least once in 6 months to establish early involvement. Q: How is diabetes treated? A: As there is no known cure for diabetes the better term would be 'control of diabetes.' The objectives of control include alleviation of symptoms and prevention of complications. Diabetes is controlled with Diet and Drugs. Strict discipline should be maintained in following the advice given by the doctors. From 'Your Child Your Family' by Dr. H.A. Aponso Et al ************ Focus on Reproductive Health Unacceptable risks for teenagers Adolescent mothers account for 10 per cent of the world's births. Unplanned teenage pregnancy results from unprotected sex, contraceptive failure or incorrect contraceptive use (sometimes due to teenagers' being intoxicated from alcohol or drugs). Whether wanted or not, early pregnancies in young women can endanger their health. According to WHO, the safest age for pregnancy is 20-24 years old. One reason that adolescents, especially younger teenagers, are at risk is that skeletal growth is incomplete in many women until the age of 18, while the birth canal may not mature until they reach 20-21 years. The complications include anaemia, severe bacterial infections, premature delivery, obstructed and prolonged labour due to small pelvic size, stillbirth and fistulae (holes between the rectum or bladder and the vagina that can lead to urinary or faecal leakage). Deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth are two to five times higher among women under 18 than among those aged 20-29. A frequent social consequence of early pregnancy is expulsion of pregnant girls (but not teenage fathers) from school. School dropouts are unlikely to resume their education, so their job opportunities and earning potential are restricted. Unsafe abortion and lack of post-abortion care About 15 per cent of all pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriage, while about 25 per cent are terminated through abortion. Adolescents seek abortions for such reasons as fear, shame and desperation because they feel unable to care for a baby or do not know how they could continue their education. They are more likely than older women to have abortions at a late stage, when clinical risks are higher. In India almost 25 per cent adolescents who had abortions after 12 weeks' pregnancy had complications, compared to one per cent among those who had an abortion before 12 weeks. Some young women attempt to perform an abortion themselves; others resort to unskilled practitioners who use hazardous techniques in unsanitary conditions, resulting in otherwise preventable complications. Globally, one third of women hospitalised for such complications are younger than 20. Silent killers: RTIs and HIV Both young men and women suffer from reproductive tract infections (RTIs), but the consequences are usually less serious for males. RTIs include STDs and infections of the reproductive tract caused by unsafe abortions or badly managed childbirth or insertion of intra-uterine devices. Young women in early and mid-adolescence are especially susceptible to STD/HIV infections because their vaginas and cervixes have a thinner layer of outer cells. First-time intercourse may involve bleeding, which also may increase chances of STD/HIV infection. Up to 50-80 per cent of STDs in females are treated late or not at all because the infections have no recognisable external symptoms. During the early 1990s more than one million infants and women - many of whom acquired the infection during adolescence - died from RTI complications (excluding HIV/AIDS). Infection with human papilloma virus often occurs among adolescents; it is associated with the risk of developing cervical cancer. ************ From a reader ... How vegetarian diets can keep the doctor away by Caryl Nugara. What we eat has a significant effect on our health. Today there is an increasing trend towards adopting vegetarian diets which are high in vegetable and herbs. Herbal foods Today in many western countries like the US there is a passion for eating herbal foods like soya, garlic and dark coloured berries. There is also the belief that the leaves of the ginkgo tree may help improve circulation, lessen age-related memory loss and protect us from disease. Does science support these therapeutic theories? According to certain people the supplementary foods mentioned above have worked and helped them feel younger also. Bilboa The Bilboa is a herb that improves circulation and some patients with painful leg conditions have been relieved of pain and walked better. It may preserve your eyesight, hearing and mental alertness. Nevertheless this herb has not benefitted those ailing with Alzheimer's disease. Soya Soya contains phytoestrogens (plant based compounds) which protect us against age-related diseases and lessens symptoms of menopause like 'hot flushes' and night sweating. The Japanese have a firm conviction that phytoestrogens strengthen the heart against attacks, lowers incidences of cancer and bone loss to the spine. Japanese people eat more soy products like tofu, soya milk drinks and soya beans. Chick-peas and lentils are also much in demand as they too are rich in phytoestrogens. Potatoes and yams Potatoes and yams contain a nutrient 'alpha lipoic acid' that promotes growth. Scientists have chemically synthesised it eg. Dr. N. Perricone (Prof. of Dermatalogy, Yale University) processed an acid solution from the nutrient which when applied on elderly persons reduced lines, wrinkles and changes in the skin. Even scores become less visible. Alpha lipoic acid is also said to be good for the heart. Highly coloured fruits Purple grapes, currants and raising, dates, strawberries and tea contain flavonoids that may reduce inflammation, hypertension and improve one's vision. They seem to fight microbes and destroy harmful oxidants in the body. Best of all the Human Resource Centre (USA) thinks that the anti-oxidants in tea and highly coloured fruits will help keep the brain young. Ron Prior (chief US phytochemical lab) says that the brain consumes and processes so much oxygen thereby producing a lot of free radicals. It is most susceptible to oxidative damage hence anti-oxidants might lessen the damage caused. Garlic and onions Garlic has allicin, a substance that helps to maintain arteries and reduce high blood pressure. A herbal authority advises us to eat one or two cloves of garlic and a few red onions uncooked daily. Other foods Spinach, oranges, asparagus, beans and fortified cereals are rich in folic acid providing us with B vitamins. "Healing Pearls" Vitamin E capsules protect the brain, reduces heart disease, corrects dysfunction and preserves the beauty of skin. (as you see)"Mother Nature" has generously given us good things and we have the freedom to choose wholesome food. |
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News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
So while for the more privileged half of our population, adolescence
represents a healthy transition from childhood to adulthood, for their
less fortunate counterparts, this transition period could end in tragedy.
Due to changing lifestyles of modern society, the absence of good
parenting that teaches them good moral values and skills that benefit them
as future parents, heads of households, workers, and responsible members
of society, the impoverished teenager left to fend for himself, more often
than not succumbs to the many risks that adolescents face the world over.
The tragic result of this is the loss of hundreds of young people in their
most productive years, because of ill health or death.
