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Health

Program sends condoms to young shy

05/16/2013

This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.


 



Entered service in California, which distributed free condoms for more than 12 years, is opposed by conservative Christian groups.
 
Boxes of free condoms, mailed: this is the proposal of a health program for American teenagers, who tries to distribute condoms to young people too embarrassed to buy them in pharmacies and stores.

The Project Access to Condoms (CAP, its acronym in English) works in the state of California and is geared to teenagers from 12 years. After simply putting personal data on a website, teens can receive into his house a discrete envelope with up to ten condoms at a time.

"Not all young people 12 years participating in sexual activities, and it has the aim of encouraging them, but we want those who choose to be sexually active have your protection. Lot like that teenage sexual activity does not even exist, but statistics are there, "he told BBC Susy Chavez Family Health Council of California, the entity responsible for the program.

Data from the state Department of Public Health show a 18% increase in syphilis cases between 2010 and 2011, and increases of 5% in cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in 2%.
 

Reproduction of site CAP program, aimed at teenagers
after 12 years in California (Photo: Playback / BBC)
 
Contagion in high
The mailing was designed as a response before the contagion and works in Californian regions that record the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases.
The law of the State of California makes the project possible, as it allows young people receive medical services related to sexuality, including the provision of contraception, without parental consent.

But the plan was not well received by some sectors of society, including conservative groups and advocates for the rights of parents, who believe that it is a government interference in the family.

"It's like saying, 'Let's make it very easy for you to have an active social life and we will ensure that you can abstain from the responsibility that this brings sex life." This takes the parents of the game and is not a good idea, "says Jake McGregor, executive director of the youth program of Christian orientation OneEighty.

Order with a click
"Condoms: a good idea", "Ask us for free here," says the program's website on the Internet. Users must enter their date of birth and address every 30 days and may request the sending of a package that also includes lubricant and leaflets.
According to officials, the packages arrive without indication of origin in an envelope "confidential". Launched as a pilot in February 2012, the program has dispatched 30,000 condoms by mail. Now, has just been expanded to two new counties of California - San Diego and Fresno.

"In San Diego, for example, young people 15-19 years have the second highest rate of chlamydia in the state. Fresno And the index is higher than gonorrhea chlamydia," said Susy Chavez.

According to official figures, 42,504 cases of chlamydia were reported in 2011 among 15 to 19 years, representing 26% of total cases in the state. The gonorrhea, nearly 5,000, representing 18% of the total for the disease.
 

Condoms are sent in an envelope
"Confidential" without indication of sender
(Photo: Archive / BBC)
 
Critics
Despite this, critics believe that health data do not justify the expansion of the program. For them, the provision of condoms to teenagers in a confidential manner, without the control or supervision, is a "state intrusion" under parental rights.
 
"We work with teenagers, and often perceive that the parents of these teens are not involved. Putting parents in a situation in which they are one step closer to being dispensable, as this program does not help advance the issue," McGregor disputes.

Others criticize the plan on the grounds that it could hasten the onset of sexual activity in minors to facilitate access to condoms. And there are also those who question the financing of the project with public funds.

"These dollars would be much better used on programs for families in foster communication between parents and children rises sexuality, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Course it takes more work to foster this bond, but is it that these are the programs health: addressing difficult issues, "says McGregor.

Positive effect
The expansion of the delivery of condoms by mail to new counties occurs just days after the American agency of food and drugs (FDA, for its acronym in English), approve the sale of the morning-after pill without a prescription to women 15 years of age by lowering the age at two years previously authorized.

"Research shows that access to emergency contraceptive product has the potential to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies," said Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the FDA.

According to Chávez, the program Californian tries to get a similar effect in the field of infections with sexually transmitted diseases, with an awareness so begins sexual activity.

Both measures confirm what appears to be a trend of lowering the age limit for recipients of public policies and programs related to contraception in the United States.

"We try to approach it also working with parents, but they are difficult subjects and does not always work. This does not prevent us to do something about teen sexual activity," said the spokesman of the Board of Health California Family.


Source: G1 - News

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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.

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