BDH Helps Fight Pregnancy, HIV, Suicide Among Teens
By: Melanie Holt, GPC-BDH | Photo By: Mhark Parchamento | Date: September 24, 2019
PREGNANCY, HIV, SUICIDE PREVENTION AMONG TEENS. Bacnotan District Hospital’s (BDH’s) Dr. Jennifer Gamiao and nurse Jay R Bautista discuss to Grades 10 to 12 students of Sto. Rosario National High School, San Juan, La Union the consequences of being pregnant and being a mom at a young age as they conduct a lecture on September 24, 2019. The activity is BDH’s contribution to the nationwide campaign to decrease pressing issues among teenagers.
Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) took part in the nationwide campaign to decrease pressing issues among teenagers by conducting series of lectures about pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and suicide at Sto. Rosario National High School, San Juan, La Union on September 24, 2019.
Around 200 Grades 10 to 12 students attended the lecture series by speakers from BDH Dr. Jennifer Gamiao who discussed Teenage Pregnancy; Nurse Jay R Bautista and Medical Technologist Melanie Holt who discussed Suicide Prevention and HIV Transmission Prevention respectively. Students actively participated in the question and answer part of the lectures.
Dr. Gamiao emphasized that teenagers are more at risk with pregnancy and delivery complications especially when they do not seek medical consultation. Moreover, she relayed that before engaging into sex, teenagers should think first about what will happen to the health of the young mother, her baby, her education, and the readiness to greater responsibilities of both young parents.
Ms. Holt presented to the students the increasing numbers of new HIV positive cases of which one in three of these cases are between 15-24 years old. She also discussed the circumstances of having HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. At the end of her lecture, she encouraged the students to prioritize their education and do not engage in sexual activities early.
On the topic about Suicide Prevention, Mr. Bautista encouraged the students to be more emphatic to their fellow students and avoid bullying. He taught them to be more positive in their outlook in life and that problems are only temporary. He pointed out that they should focus on the solution and they should seek help from trusted friends and family members.
