Most adolescents who engage in risky behaviors, such as premarital sex, were found to have very little knowledge about Reproductive Health, including HIV/AIDS. Often, they get RH information from peers who are themselves full of misconceptions about the subject matter.

Worldwide, statistics show that the 15-24 age group continues to comprise the big bulk of HIV infection. Although incidence of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines is not as big as that of Thailand, India and Africa, the growing phenomenon of casual unprotected sex among young Filipinos and the continuing increase in overseas Filipino workers are constant threats that could lead to high incidence of HIV/AIDS in the country.

One of the effective ways of educating the Filipino youth about Reproductive Health concerns is through the school curriculum. However, Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS prevention is not yet institutionalized in our formal and technical education system.

The Foundation for Adolescent Development, (FAD), Inc. in partnership with the Consuelo Foundation Inc. has developed a “Reproductive Health and HIV-AIDS Curriculum” for integration in the curriculum of technical and vocational courses such as Computer Technology; Refrigeration and Aircondition; Building Wiring, to name a few.

The curriculum consists of 4 units for a total of 31 lessons.

The integrated technical education which includes RH and HIV/AIDS lessons benefited the 17 to 24 year old, poor, out-of-school youth of Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong, Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati, Don Bosco Youth Center in Tondo, ERDA TECH Foundation in Pandacan, Tuloy Foundation, Inc in Alabang. The program has been rolled out to other Consuelo partners in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Foundation for Adolescent Development, (FAD) Inc. is offering a training program on the use of the Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS Curriculum for a fee. Interested parties may contact Ms. Cecille Villa, FAD Executive Director at 734.1788 and 735.5369 or email at fadinc@pldtdsl.net.