STD figures rising

Article by Sheria Brathwaite

Director of the HIV/AIDS Commission, Dr Jaqueline Wiltshire, says sexual-transmitted diseases are on the rise, with the hard economic times one of the factors negatively impacting the sexual habits of some Barbadians.

Speaking to the media yesterday after a service at St Michael’s Cathedral to mark World AIDS Day, Wiltshire, while not giving numbers, said some of the sexual activities people were engaging in were of high concern to the commission.

“There are some issues we find worrisome, such as the statistics as it relates to the increase of multi-partnering and the age at which people make their sexual debut.

“The reasons behind these behaviours are multifaceted. Some of them are cultural practices and some are linked to the recession. During a recession, you have more transactional sex and inter-generational sex.” (SB)

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