CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A regional study conducted among youth of Central Luzon (CL) is saying that mass media and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use, as well as non-sexual risk behavior have been positively associated with the youth’s early sexual initiation.
Commission on Population (Popcom)-Central Luzon Director Eleanor Cura said the study, “Mass Media and ICT Exposure, Non-Sexual Risk Behavior and Early Sexual Initiation among the Youth in Central Luzon,” revealed that while traditional mass media ultimately lose their links to the youth’s early sexual initiation, ICT use and non-sexual risk behavior variables on the other hand displayed statistically significant pattern.
Cura also mentioned that the findings should serve as basis for a strengthened convergence not only among national government agencies and local government units but also major stakeholders such as media and people’s organizations.
Based on the 2013 Youth Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS 4) results, the regional study authored by Felix Deocampo and Elma Laguna (from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and University of the Philippines-Population Institute respectively) shall be presented to Popcom-Central Luzon's partner agencies, local government units, youth leaders, media and other stakeholders during the YAFS 4 Regional Further Study Dissemination Forum to be held May 31 in Grace Crown Hotel, Angeles City.
The Central Luzon-study, among other 16 regional papers, explored and discussed the current and emerging issues and concerns of young people in each region that need appropriate policy and program responses using YAFS 4 results.
A joint-project of the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and the Demographic Research and Development Foundation (DRDF), YAFS 4 is presented in three major areas of study, namely Media and Lifestyle (Tweets and Likes), Non-sexual Risk Behaviors (#BISYOatbp), and Sexual Risk Behaviors (#Sexytime). Exactly 18,547 households nationwid participated in YAFS 4 co-funded by the Australian Government, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
Three YAFS editions have been conducted previously to fill necessary gaps in grasping the Filipino youth’s knowledge, behavior, and attitude in various sex and sex-related issues (1982, 1994 and 2002).