safe sex

How safe is safe sex?

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT: Executive Director of Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago, (FPATT) Dona Da Costa Martinez.

By Kimoy Leon Sing
Story Created: Jan 1, 2012 at 10:58 PM ECT, Story Updated: Jan 1, 2012 at 10:58 PM ECT ================================================
"Sexual images have become the norm in today's society and that is why it is important to talk more openly about contraception," said executive director of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago, (FPATT) Dona Da Costa Martinez.

The increased level of sexual activity which takes place around the Carnival season often results in a higher level of unprotected sex and a number of unplanned pregnancies.

Though many see Carnival time as a time to "free up" themselves and leave all their worries behind, Da Costa Martinez urges citizens to think before they act.

"Men and women in Trinidad and Tobago know about the common forms of contraceptives such as the contraceptive pill and the male condom but sometimes lack the knowledge of other forms of contraceptives and their proper use. Some people do not think contraceptives are important and therefore take risks," she said.

"Knowledge is power and in order to make good, responsible life choices it is important to be well informed. Contraception or birth control is the intentional prevention of conception or impregnation by artificial or natural means. Common artificial methods include prevention of the sperm from reaching the ovum through use of condoms, diaphragms, etc, inhibiting ovulation by using oral contraceptive pills, preventing implantation through the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs), destroying the sperm with the use of spermicides and preventing the sperm from entering the seminal fluid by having a vasectomy," she said.

According to Da Costa Martinez, the main types of contraceptives are barrier and hormonal. They are designed to prevent the sperm from entering a woman's uterus during sexual intercourse.

Barrier methods are the easiest and most commonly adopted of all birth control methods.

Physical barrier types of contraceptives are preferred by many due to their being easily available. Some of these include: male condom and female condom. Other types of barrier contraceptives include diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicides, contraceptive sponge and IUDs. Hormonal contraceptives are also diverse and can be taken in the form of a pill, patch, shot, ring or implant.

She said, "There is need for much more education and awareness about contraception and contraceptive use in relation to safer sex practices. FPATT does work with the disabled; we work in communities around Trinidad and Tobago, attend health fairs and use the media to convey information. Our programmes target various populations in the country which include adults, youths and underserved populations. De Living Room, a common space for youth to congregate and access our sexual and reproductive health services, is accessible to youth. Adults are welcomed in our clinics in Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago. Underserved populations are reached via our Community Outreach Programme and businesses through our HealthLink Outreach Programme where we take the services to the client," she said.

There are a number of different ways to describe contraception. Terms include birth control, pregnancy prevention, fertility control, and family planning. Despite the many options available, most of these choices offer little or no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially against HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

For some individuals, economic considerations dictate their choice of contraceptive method however abstinence is 100 per cent effective and costs nothing, but may not always be a popular choice, she said.

According to Da Costa Martinez, while education is important it is equally important to ensure that women and men can choose, obtain, and use the contraceptive method they want. Programmes must be client-centred, responding to client demand for family planning and improving client use of family planning services, she said.================================================http://www.trinidadexpress.com/featured-news/How_safe_is_safe_sex_-136514688.html