Health Division worried by high rates of STIs among young people in Tobago

Key Points:

• The Tobago Division of Health is alarmed by rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly HIV, among individuals aged 20-29, with gonorrhea and syphilis also increasing both locally and globally.
• Onika Henry, senior programme coordinator for sexual health, highlighted challenges such as stigma and shame hindering efforts to combat new infections and emphasized the need for confidential testing and anti-discrimination policies in workplaces.
• Henry advocates for early sexual education integrated into school curricula, collaborating with the Division of Education and stakeholders to provide age-appropriate, evidence-based information despite anticipated resistance from some religious groups.
• The Division plans to launch an awareness campaign targeting youth during Tobago's upcoming carnival, involving influencers to spread messages about sexual health and prevention.
• Dr. Denise Tsoisafatt Angus of the Innovative Democratic Alliance criticized the lack of data sharing between private healthcare providers and the public health sector, calling for policy measures to establish a reporting system to better monitor and respond to STI trends.