THE DESIRE for "bling" and showy possessions are the two main factors driving the precocious sexual activity among secondary and tertiary school students.

Behaviour change consultant to the National HIV/AIDS Commission, Marilyn Sealy, disclosed this and other findings at the commission's research symposium yesterday at Hilton Barbados.

She shared results from a three-year study that examined the theme Risk Perception And Sexual Practices Among Teenagers In Barbados, stating that of those participants interviewed between the ages of 15 and 18, 85 per cent were sexually active.

The National HIV/AIDS Commission of Barbados, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, facilitated the whole-day seminar which examined many of the issues dealing with HIV/AIDS in Barbados, and by extension the wider Caribbean community.

Clothes and money

"Fifteen per cent cited clothes, money and peer pressure as factors leading to sexual activity . . . . It's interesting to see how they get their clothes and bus fare for school; sex is a big factor. That's how they make their money and how their parents pay their bills."

The 2004 study took place during the Crop-Over Festival period where the researchers were present at official events and theme parties.

Several risqué photographs taken on site were displayed yesterday, highlighting sexually explicit positions and revealing attire, prompting Sealy to make links between rape and scantily clad women, as well as the music culture and promiscuity.

Sealy also stated that results from the study showed that the level of HIV/AIDS awareness was very elevated, but that most believed they were exempted from the disease as the notion was it primarily befell prostitutes or homosexuals.

Ignoring warnings

The investigation also highlighted that, despite the high awareness of the dangers involved, "Barbadian youth continue to practise early sexual initiation, multiple sexual partners and inconsistent and non-use of condoms".

She also spoke to high levels of ignorance surrounding sexual relations. "Their sexual practices were mostly unprotected and included anal, oral,
and vaginal sex," she noted.

"A lot of young people indicated that if they practised anal sex then they would remain virgins. They felt their hymen would still be intact, Sealy added.