2.8 Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)

Objectives:
The audience knows that staying in boats also protects oneself from contracting other STI’s, which AIDS is one of. Furthermore, it knows about the increased risk of contracting HIV if STI’s remain untreated. Above all the audience receives general information on symptoms, courses of disease and treatment options.

Materials:
not necessary, eventually brochures about STI’s

Description:
Frontal teaching unit.

Realization:
The speaker refers to the further use of the “Boats of hope.” They offer reliable protection from other STI’s such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and hepatitis. If possible the speaker should use the corresponding expressions in the local language. STI’s in general are not to be underestimated, because untreated they can lead to infertility, death and other such dire consequences. Next the speaker should describe the symptoms and refer to treatment options. On the basis of symptoms it can be vividly explained why STI’s, under the condition that the partner is infected with HIV, increase the probability of contracting HIV. Concerning treatment options, it is particularly important that the concerned person seeks treatment together with his sexual partners. Otherwise there can be a repeated infection, and thus the treatment success does not last long.

Duration:
10 Minutes.

Problems:
This module, due to its frontal teaching format, is not very suitable at keeping the audience’s attention for more than one hour. Improvements regarding ways of presentation should be striven for. Owing to this we inserted the “condom demonstration” between the “Boats of hope” module and the “STI’s in general” module as you can see above.

Questions:
Is it true that if I get syphilis I will get AIDS later on?
Answer: No, both syphilis and AIDS are STI’S. HIV causes AIDS. If one is infected by an STI [here syphilis] there is an increased probability of contracting HIV when having unprotected sex with an HIV positive partner.

Alternatives:
We applied the module “STI’s in general” in communities. In schools with a much lower average age we applied “Leticia’s story,” instead of “STI’s in general.” The story illustrates the meaning of teenage pregnancy, as well as showing the possible consequences of teenage pregnancy. Its aim is to inform people to deal more responsibly when making decisions over sexual relations.