THE government has expressed concern at the increasing use of emergency contraceptives by youths saying it promoted promiscuity.
Senior Reporter
Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyetwa said youths must abstain from sex because of risks such as contracting HIV and Aids.
“What we encourage is prevention, prevention and prevention. Our education to all girls and boys is to prevent teenage pregnancy by delaying sexual debut as much as possible,” he said.
“We want youths to have sex when they are married or when they are as old as they can be.
“We are not encouraging what you are talking about (morning-after pills) as in real abortion, but we are encouraging prevention.”
His comments followed reports that Bulawayo ran out of emergency contraceptives after the festive season. Pharmacies also ran out of pregnancy test kits, which reportedly sold like hot cakes.
The emergency contraceptives are used to avoid pregnancy within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The pill usually costs between $4 to $6 while a home pregnancy test kit sells for $1.
