McKenzie Vermillion (right), 16, reacts to a presentation on sexually transmitted infections given at Bixby High School by the Tulsa Health Department's Annette Leon on Sept. 13. The presentation seeks to give teens information about STIs and how to prevent them. ADAM WISNESKI / Tulsa World
Of the 22 students in the elective life-skills class, only two remembered their eighth-grade state-mandated lessons on sexually transmitted diseases.
Seven remembered some sex-related information from biology class. None knew the function of a woman's fallopian tubes, much less how an STD affected them.
"Relax and just talk to me because I need to tell you a few things," said Annette Leon, specialist with the Tulsa City-County Health Department, as part of her ongoing visiting presentations with the class.
The students require parental permission to be in the class, which includes a comprehensive curriculum on parenting, relationship building, child development and health.
The Bixby course enrolls about 100 students a year, out of a high school population of about 1,300.
Leon said only a handful of schools allow Health Department educators in for presentations and usually request a "censored" version for a select group of students.
In Bixby's class, the students are straightforward, honest and serious.
"The first line of defense is not to do it," Leon said. "It's a good idea for you to postpone sexual activity right now."
A student scoffed at the notion. A couple exchanged an eye-rolling glance, and a few spoke up backing abstinence.
"That's not an option."
"I don't have a desire to do it."
"It's about morals."
The session focused on the diseases passed through sex and how that can impact overall health.
"Viruses are vicious, and they aren't curable. You can't wash off a disease," Leon said.
Questions posed by students included how herpes is transmitted and whether some diseases could lead to blindness or infertility.
Students made no sign of surprise at the statistics, such as 40 million people having herpes. Then, photos of STD outbreaks on different parts of the body, including genitalia, shocked some.
Many gasped and about half turned away or closed their eyes.
"That's so gross."
"That's disgusting."
"That's so not normal."
Leon explained that people may not know they are infected, and only testing can determine the presence of a disease.
"I want you to understand that what you do is important. We have consequences," Leon said.
"If you are going to be sexually active, be careful and be cautious. Make sure your partner is disease-free. Make wise choices because your life depends on it."
The session included contacts for health clinics, symptoms of various diseases and the importance of communication with a potential partner.
Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Presentation offers details, discussion
