THE Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (Pogs) will hold “Buntis (Pregnant) Day” on March 10 at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, said Dr. Mary Grace Doromal.
The activity aims to help adult pregnant women and teenage pregnant women get free consultations, counseling, urinalysis and ultrasound. It also seeks to help stop cases of mortality at childbirth and abortion.
Free starter doses of vitamins will also be given to pregnant women.
Of the total number of pregnant women in Baguio City, 14 percent are cases of teenage pregnancies that have been increasing in the past years.
Marlyn de Castro, Baguio Center for Young Adults (BCYA) chairperson, said risky behaviors like premarital sex often lead to teenage pregnancies and abortions among the youth. She also added alcoholism and drug addiction.
“The ages of the youth engaging in premarital sex and those getting sexually transmitted infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been getting younger and younger,” de Castro said.
“Out of 10 young boys and girls in the high school level, there are three who are sexually active,” de Castro added.
An increase in cases of men engaging unprotected sex with men (MSMs) making them more prone to sexually transmitted infections and HIV is also looming, said de Castro.
In addressing these issues, the BCYA has been providing services like counseling and reproductive health forums to the youth sector to promote awareness on the risks of premarital sex and teenage pregnancies.
De Castro stressed that parental involvement should also be strengthen.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office will also conduct a reproductive health forum on sexually transmitted infections and HIV-Aids on March 16 at the Baguio City multi-purpose hall. (JM Agreda)