Kids know more about the birds and the bees than we think, and hope, they do.

According to a University of the Philippines study, nearly two million of over 17 million adolescents in the country are sexually active with early sexual debut and unprotected sex.

The national demographic and survey supports this fact in its 2003 study, revealing that one out of four women become mothers by age 19, while four out of 10 women in the 20 to 24-year-old bracket have already engaged in sexual activity.

The studies attribute our youth’s sexual behavior to ignorance and misinformation about sexual reproductive health that, more often than not, result in early pregnancies, miscarriages, and STD and HIV/AIDS.

Unfortunately, just as they are lost with the risks involved with an early sexual debut, most of these adolescents also do not know what to do when confronted with these problems.

According to WHO country representative Dr. Jean-Marc Olivé, there is a need to put priority in providing adequate and accurate information on adolescent reproductive health, alongside maternal and child health care.

"Young women are more vulnerable to health risks during pregnancy and childbirth," explains Dr. Olivé. "They are not physically, as well as emotionally and psychologically, prepared for motherhood."

He believes that lack of education about sexuality increases the incidence of premarital sex, early pregnancy, STI and HIV/AIDS among teenagers.

"By providing young women with correct information, we hope to empower them to make the right decision when it comes to their first sexual intercourse," Dr. Olive said.

Following this learning, WHO in partnership with the Department of Health, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, and the local government of Taguig, is supporting the implementation of an adolescent health project in participating communities of Taguig using peer counseling as a core strategy.

With the aid of existing youth organizations, adolescent groups were organized to reach out to other teenagers in the city, to enable dialogues and discussions on key reproductive health concerns and issues that they are encountering.

The groups identified early sexual encounter and pregnancy because of a number of reasons like peer pressure, media exposure, and inability to discuss with parents regarding sexuality. They later linked early sexual debut and teen pregnancy to early marriage, school dropout, and perpetual poverty.

According to Taguig City Health Officer Dr. Rolando Paac the peer counseling approach allows adolescents to freely discuss their problems, concerns, and issues when it comes to their sexuality and increase their awareness on premarital sex, early pregnancy, STIs, and HIV/AIDS.

"At the same time the peer counseling approach will contribute in increasing the understanding of adolescents on fertility, pregnancy care, safer childbirth and motherhood including newborn care," Dr. Paac said.