Change in sexual behaviour needed: Health MEC
The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department says, despite many programmes encouraging safe sex practices, it appears that many young people are just not listening.
MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu says the number is concerning.
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She had been speaking at the launch of the Department's Tertiary Education Health Awareness Programme in Pietermaritzburg at the past weekend.It emerged at the session that 40 percent of the province's tertiary students are having unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Simelane-Zulu says they do not want students dropping out of university or college due to unplanned pregnancies or transmitted diseases.
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She says a change in behaviour is needed."The reality of the life that we live in is that students are exposed to risky sexual behaviour," said Simelane-Zulu.
She says it is not the place for the department to judge, but to rather provide knowledge and to make sure students are safe.
"If we do not take care of our students, we will not have leaders in the future," she said.
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