What Happened
Talking about sexuality in adolescence remains taboo in Panama, leaving many young people without reliable information about their bodies, emotions, and choices. Sources interviewed in Panama City report that teenagers commonly search for answers online or remain silent, a gap that experts say contributes to rising rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Key Figures
Recent data cited by local health and advocacy groups points to alarming increases in sexually transmitted infections and HIV-related deaths. Approximately 349 young people aged 15–19 were diagnosed with STIs in 2024. Syphilis cases rose nationally from 2,553 reported in 2019 (ages 25–35) to 3,925 in 2024, with a significant increase among people aged 15–24. Gonorrhea cases increased from 831 in 2019 to 1,081 in 2024, with cases doubling in the 20–34 age group. The Ministry of Health recorded 284 deaths from HIV in 2024, 150 of them among people aged 20–44. Advocates also note that 11 deaths from HIV occurred in young people aged 15–19.
Voices and Experts
Orlando Quintero, director of Probidsida, emphasized the lack of access to reliable information: “Young people don’t have access to information at home, nor at school; they end up looking for it on YouTube, Google, and so on.” A study of adolescents aged 12 to 18 found that, while many say they know how to prevent HIV and other STIs, misconceptions persist—almost half believe that personal hygiene prevents infection, indicating critical gaps in understanding.
Clinical psychologist and sexuality expert Yesica Pinzón advises that conversations about sexuality should begin early and continue through adolescence: “When they are young children, they need to be taught about body care and emotional management, and when they enter adolescence, they need to be given the correct information so they can make sound decisions in life.”
Background
Programs such as the Youth Project, a partnership including the Ministry of Social Development (Mides), the Ministry of Education (Meduca), and Probidsida, work directly with teenagers in schools. Young participants report primary concerns about contraception, HIV, and AIDS and say they are often afraid to ask questions in family or school settings.
What This Means
The combination of silence at home, uneven sex education in schools, and reliance on informal online sources increases the risk of unplanned pregnancies, STIs, and emotional harm for Panama’s adolescents. The data and expert testimony highlight an urgent need for comprehensive, age-appropriate information, accessible services, and safe spaces where young people can ask questions without shame.
Addressing these gaps will require sustained coordination between health services, education authorities, community organizations, and families to ensure that information reaches young people accurately and on time.