It is extremely important that parents impart knowledge to their adolescent boys and girls about sexual health and hygiene, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Naeem, dean of Jamia Binoria Al Aalamia, Karachi, said in a statement on Monday.
Only 29 percent girls and 41 percent boys have access to correct information about puberty and hygiene in Pakistan and most parents are uneasy discussing sensitive but vital health issues with their growing children. This communication gap makes children vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and life threatening diseases, Mufti Naeem said.
Naeem stressed on the importance of communication between parents and children about intimate health issues. Equipping children with this knowledge would prepare them in advance for the challenges of puberty and prevent them from being exploited, he said. The Journal of Pakistan Medical Association (JMPA) published the findings of a survey titled “Understanding of Puberty and Related Health Problems Among Female Adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan”. Data was collected from 150 females between the ages of 10 and 19.
The survey revealed that majority of participants had limited knowledge about puberty and sexual health. About 72 percent of participants believed they should be given proper information about puberty and the changes of adolescence so they can deal with them better.
“Mothers must talk to their growing daughters about the emotional and physical changes of adolescence,” Mufti Naeem said. Absence of right information from right quarters on puberty and related issues misled the adolescents and exposed them to wrong, illegitimate, immoral, exploiting and abusive sources of information and misconduct.
It is the duty of every parent to educate there childs about puberty.
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