GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Using protection during sexual activities will not only reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies, but also prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.

‘Using a condom is one of the best things to do when you are sexually active as it protects you and your partner against unwanted pregnancies and communicable diseases. Condom use should be part of people's lifestyle. It's readily available, you just have to make sure you always have it with you’, said Firdous Ahsing, health counsellor at Ladismith Clinic. 

‘I also try and promote the female condom as much as possible as it is so convenient and can be inserted ahead of time’.

Jean-Marie Pieterse, also a health counsellor from Ladismith said: ‘Look at the expiry date, use a condom only once and do not use male and female condoms together. Wrap it in toilet paper after use and throw it in the bin, not the toilet’.

‘Access to condoms have been well established in our health facilities, but we should also focus on educating our communities, especially men.’ Says Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Minister for Health.

‘We should talk to men about the use of condoms at every available opportunity, including doctors when they perform medical male circumcisions. Condom use should be part of the entire packages of care we offer in terms of men’s health’.

What are STIs?

Sexually Transmitted Infections are infections caused by germs that are passed from one person to another mainly during unprotected sex. 

Most symptoms are easily noticed and can be treated if reported early to the sister at the clinic.

How will I know if I have an STI?

You may have an STI if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Discharge from the penis, burning or pain when passing urine.
• Abnormal vaginal discharge, smelly, itching, burning or painful urination.
• Mild to severe lower abdominal pain, sometimes fever, with or without vaginal discharge.
• Sore(s) or blisters on the genitals with or without painful swelling in the groin.
• Sores, itching of glands, penis pain.
• Scrotal swelling, with or without pain.

If you suspect you have an STI, your health worker will do the following:

• Ask about your sexual history
• Physical examination.
• Test for cervical cancer, if necessary, according to protocol.
• Treatment using the syndromic approach or referral if indicated.
• Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT).
• Partner notification slip(s) issued and treatment.
• Condom promotion, demonstration and provision.
• Referral to other services as needed (family planning, antenatal care, PMTCT, TB, HIV treatment and care etc).

Risk factors associated with acquiring or having a STI

• Any unprotected penetrative sex (anal, vaginal or oral)
• Frequency of unprotected penetrative sex (the more sex, the higher the risk).
• More than one sexual partner.
• Sexual coercion, abuse, violence, rape.
• Alcohol or drug use in conjunction with sexual activity.
• Use of pills or injections for family planning without consistent and correct condom use.
• Vaginal douching.
• Any penetrative sex in the presence of an STI.
• Periodic separation of partners, for example caused by migrant work.
• History of recent STI.
• Recent still birth, miscarriage or newborn with low weight.

If you answered yes to any statement above, you should go to the nearest clinic to be checked.

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