Thailand: Survey Shows Many Youngsters Not Practicing Safe Sex

A recent survey of 1,014 young people in Bangkok indicates 31 percent have been sexually active. Of the 12- to 24-year-olds polled, some boys reported having had their first sexual experience at age 12, while the youngest for girls was 13. Just 53.2 percent of sexually active young people surveyed used condoms. The Public Health Ministry and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University collaborated on the study as part of broad efforts to control the spread of STDs in Thailand. Dr. Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, director-general of the ministry's Disease Control Department, said plans are underway to launch a new condom promotion campaign on Valentine's Day at MBK Center. An estimated 60 million condoms will be handed out across the country, he said.

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