Adolescents are children between the ages of 10 and 19 have been identified as a group of persons contributing greatly to the spread of HIV/ AIDS due to the fact that they are children developing into young adults hence they lack maturity which makes them exhibit certain behaviors including risky sexual behaviors.
Adolescents experience changes in their bodies, heightened hormonal changes both in males and females hence if they are not properly managed into adulthood, they could begin to engage in unprotected sex which comes with infections including HIV.
The National HIV Strategy for Adolescents and Young People developed by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA is aimed at reducing HIV infection among adolescents in Nigeria and parenting was identified as a key factor in educating and supporting adolescents as they grow into young adults.
Although parenting starts as early as when a child is born but when children are growing up and becoming adolescents and teenagers, special attention needs to be given to them by their parents because parents are suppose to be the first teachers of their children on sexual reproductive health issues.
In view of this, parents are advised not to neglect this important duty to their children. They are to teach them about the care and protection of the reproductive organs from as early as when a child can talk and knows the parts of the body.
Protection of the reproductive organs includes bathing regularly, wearing clean underwears, using clean toilets and shaving the pubic areas.
For adolescents, they need to be further taught to know that the changes they experience in their bodies are normal and part of growing up into adulthood.
Parents should tell their adolescent children that they need to protect their reproductive organs by abstinence from premarital sex, avoiding mutilation of genitals, avoiding self medication when infected and for the girls to maintain a high level of hygiene during menstruation.
Adolescents who are already engaged in sexual activities should be given adequate information on how to protect themselves from infections through the use of condoms. Condoms used consistently and correctly is greatly advised.
Parents must ensure that they create an atmosphere for effective communication with their children so that they can freely discuss any issues as many of them face peer pressure which leads them into inappropriate sexual behaviors.
Educating adolescents on reproductive health issues would help to reduce premarital sex. Many adolescents still do not know the consequences of engaging in unprotected sex.
They need to be aware that HIV still exists and unprotected sex with an infected person is still the major source of transmission. You may not know which sexual partner is infected because adolescents tend to have more than one partner when they become sexually active.
Parents are to equip themselves with adequate knowledge about sexual reproductive health and HIV prevention to enable them give their adolescent children the right information. Where they are lacking in knowledge, parents should be willing to learn new skills in parenting to teach and impart discipline where necessary.
Continuos enlightenment, education and awareness on sexual reproductive issues is advised. Adolescents should be made to understand that they are to focus on academic pursuit at this stage as sexual activities comes with a lot of distraction to academic excellence.
Adolescents girls should be advised on the consequences of unplanned pregnancies when they engage in risky behaviours.
Constant adolescent supervision is part of the duties of parents. They should check what their adolescents are watching, listening to, reading and looking at on the social media. Help them to understand why they should avoid inappropriate sexual behaviors.
It is equally important for parents to live exemplary lives for their adolescents to emulate. This positively influences adolescents but parents should learn to admit their mistakes and apologize when necessary.
Do not use negative words of warning or threats to communicate sexual reproductive health and HIV prevention to adolescents rather have an open system of communication about sexual issues in your homes.
Adolescents have a bright future ahead of them. Parents are to help and support them to discover and actualize their dreams in life hence, they should avoid inappropriate sexual behaviors that could terminate such good dreams and visions of the future.
