Two young people in the territory have tested positive for HIV this year, according to Government Information Services.

Chief Nursing Officer Jascinth Hannibal — who is responsible for family health — said her unit will focus on outreach to young people in an effort to prevent further spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Ms. Hannibal explained that multiple factors — including undue sexual pressure, lack of knowledge, incorrect information, unprotected sex, and the use of alcohol or drugs — can increase a young person’s vulnerability to acquiring HIV.

“We want to push abstinence, and if they cannot be abstinent we want them to stick to one faithful partner and use a condom every time, consistently and correctly, with every sexual experience,” the chief nursing officer said in a press release.

Studies have shown that promoting abstinence, however, may not be the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of STDs.

A 2008 article printed in Sexuality Research and Social Policy, a peer-reviewed academic journal published in the United States, examined 56 studies that focussed on the effectiveness of abstinence promotion versus comprehensive sexual education programmes.

The report found that only one third of the abstinence programmes examined in those studies had any significant positive effect on adolescent sexual behaviour, compared to two thirds for the comprehensive education programmes.

Ms. Hannibal could not immediately be reached for further comment.

Testing

Residents in the territory have a variety of opportunities to receive free HIV testing.

Today is Caribbean Regional Testing Day, and residents can take tests at Scotiabank in The Valley, Virgin Gorda, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to GIS.

On Friday, testing will be offered at the Fishermen’s Jamboree on Beef Island from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the Backyard on Anegada from 8 p.m.

Next Friday, July 7, the BVI Health Services Authority plans to offer free testing from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during a job and career fair at the Catholic Community Centre on Virgin Gorda.

“Everybody should get tested at least once if they are between the ages of 15 and 65,” Ms. Hannibal said in the press release, adding, “Everybody should know their status, so if you have never been tested before in your life, this is your opportunity to get tested for free. Make 2017 the year that you know your status.”

{fcomment}