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12:02

Admin - Hello and welcome to MomHouston's Teen sexual health Live Chat. This is your chance to brush up on your sex ed information.

We have with us today Dr Peggy Smith, director of BCM's Teen Health Clinic and Dr Ruth Buzi, assitant professor and director of social services at the Teen Health Clinic.

Thank you so much for being with us

12:03

[Comment From RoLinder Wright]
I am an advocate of sexual health. I was a former sex ed advocate and resource at my university. Teens are not aware of the severity of HIV amongst other STD and what I have found, they filter the lack of knowledge in the college environment in which they are afforded more freedom, etc.

12:06

Dr. Peggy B. Smith - It's a very significant issue, there has been a nationwide assessment that documents your concern. Adolescents between 13 and 24 years represent 4.4% of the total cases but have 9.9% of undiagnosed cases. In other words, they have a larger percent of undiagnosed cases. For further discussion, search MMWR, June 26, 2009 58(24); 665-668.

The Teen Health Clinic has had an increasing prevalence of HIV in our adolescent population. This is a growing concern and education is imperative to prevent the spread.

12:06

[Comment From Tom]
Is telling my child to use a condom a good and safe option?

12:06

Dr. Ruth Buzi - Condoms are very important in reducing a variety of sexually transmitted infections as well as pregnancy. Teens should know that this is a good option if they choose to be sexually active. We promote the ABCs (Abstinence, Being faithful and using Condoms correctly and consistently) as a way to protect teens from a variety of negative consequences of unsafe sexual practices.

12:08

[Comment From Anixia]
I agree with RoLinder Wright, but even though they promote all the sex ad, and awarness, teens are still out there "having fun" and spreading diseases

12:08

[Comment From Guest]
My son is a teen and we made a decision at his birth not to have him circumcised. At the time, and I did the research, there was no CONCRETE evidence to support a decision to have this procedure done. So, I looked at is as genital mutilation. Now that these new studies have been done, what can I do to educate my son on preventing diseases such as HIV and AIDS?

12:08

Dr. Peggy B. Smith - As a parent, those are your rights for medical care, but I would be sure that he is aware that mode of transmission and as discussed above, the ABC model, which should help him reduce his risks of STI infection. Please be advised that there are a variety of other STI's that have significant morbidity for the adolescent population.

12:08

[Comment From Guest]
In this day and age asking for abstinance is naive.

12:09

[Comment From Guest]
Education is the only hope we have to stop STD's

12:09

[Comment From Momof4]
It is not naive to ask and hope......but we should also educate

12:10

Admin - The doctors are answering questions as quickly as possible. If you have asked a question they will get to it shortly. Thank you.

12:10

[Comment From Obed Gauna]
we should educate. It's the "educators philosophy" that one might be concerned with

12:11

[Comment From Guest]
most parents dont want to educate...they want to stick their head in the sand and hope their kid is asexual until he or she gets past their teen years

12:11

[Comment From Obed Gauna]
Hello Dr. Peggy Smith, what would be your opinion, as a Dr., about teaching abstinence?

12:11

Dr. Peggy B. Smith - There is a growing body of evidence based literature that suggests abstinence plus which encourages the postponment of sexual debut and provides correct and accurate information on contraception is effective in the adolescent population. In contrast, abstinence only, which provides no information on contraception, is not statistically significant in postponing sexual debut. The most effective way to prevent STI's and pregnancy is abstinence, but adolescents deserve accurate information when they make the decision to be sexually active.

12:11

[Comment From Houston Mom]
My 15 year old daughter requested to be put on birth control pills. She does not have a boyfriend, nor is sexually active (according to her, I hope)!, but wants them none the less. I am torn on what is the right way to approach this. I am scared if I get them it will be giving her permission to be sexually active. What are your thoughts.

12:11

Dr. Ruth Buzi - It is important to have open and honest communication with your daughter about her motivation behind using birth control at this point. It would also be important to share with her your values and how you feel about teens being sexually active. We know from research that discussing issues related to sexuality do not encourage sexual activity. Teens who have open communication with parents are more likely to delay sex and when they become sexually active are more likely to practice safe sex.

12:12

[Comment From Guest]
I think it's absolutely appalling that people are choosing circumsion over education

12:13

[Comment From Guest]
I am a young adult and my boyfriend is not circumcised. We both have been tested, however should I have any further worries?

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