BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A School-based Student Health Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health (MoH) has found that a large percentage of students between the ages of 13 and 15 in St. Kitts and Nevis are sexually active.
According to a report coming out of Monday’s (Aug. 8) Post Cabinet Briefing, the MoH reported that as part of its efforts to better serve the health interest of the nation, it was critical that the ministry gleaned statistically-valid information relating to various dimensions of the health and habits of young people in the twin-island Federation.
The survey was conducted in March this year in all secondary schools in the Federation and the sample group was made up of 1 740 students from Forms Two to Four between the ages of 13 and 15.
The survey had attempted to assess dietary behaviours, physical activity, protective factors, sexual behaviour and violence and injuries of the students.
Some of the significant findings of the survey include 31.7 percent of students have had sexual intercourse, 32.5 percent are overweight, 96.3 percent brush their teeth once or more daily, and 25.6 percent of them engaged in physical activity for at least one hour per day.
The report noted that the MoH stressed that the information gleaned would be used in key decision-making and it would continue to advocate for healthy lifestyle in all of its aspects.
Cabinet had given the MoH the green light to convene a national stakeholder consultation to determine practical and sustainable responses to the findings of the research.
