CHINA / Regional
Students top Shanghai pregnancy hotline list
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-09 09:04
Nearly half the women calling Shanghai's first hotline for unexpected
pregnancies are students.
Hotline officials released the figures yesterday in a move to promote
young people's sexual awareness ahead of World Population Day on
Wednesday.
After launching the hotline (65876866) two years ago, the No. 411
Hospital of the People's Liberation Army has received about 20,000 calls
for consultations and help.
About 45.38 percent of callers are students and 31 percent are migrant
women.
"Among the students, 45 percent come from vocational and technical
schools, 25 percent from universities, 20 percent from high schools and
10 percent from middle schools," said Dr Yu Dongyan, the hotline director.
"All these girls are aged below 20 and some are younger than 15."
During the two years, the hospital distributed about 10,000 packs of
morning-after pills and provided discounted or free medical services and
psychological support to 250-odd pregnant young women.
More than 90 percent of the girls came to the hospital with friends or
classmates and without their parents' knowledge.
"Summer vacation is a peak season for the hotline, which received 285
calls in the holiday's first week," said Dr Zhang Zhengrong, from the
hospital.
"Some girls even claimed they have had relationships with boyfriends
without knowing their real names, since they are just Internet friends."
Many girls are ignorant about contraception.
Local youngsters normally enter puberty at the age of 12, a two-year
advance on 2004.
Authorities say sex education from both schools and parents is lacking.
According to previous research by the hotline, 79 percent of students
said they learn about sex from the Internet and 46 percent criticized
school sex-education programs as being inadequate.
"It is very important to teach young people knowledge on reproductive
health and proper communication with the opposite sex," said Liu
Shusheng, director of the Huangpu District Population and Family Planning
Commission.
"Young women should learn to protect themselves, while young men should
enhance social responsibility.
"Avoiding the topic will only mislead them."
Top China News
Legal loopholes stopped to combat corruption
China suspends sales of leukemia drug
Chinese tourist confirmed dead in DRC
26 dead, 8.19m affected in SW China flood
China's top political advisor on energy issue
Today's Top News
Legal interpretation targets new forms of bribery
Three Chinese killed in Pakistan
China's reputation at risk, says SFDA
Violent weekend in Iraq kills over 220
No death threat to Chinese hostage in Niger
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
20071122 Extracted From http://www.learnchinese.bj.cn
No comments:
Post a Comment