Be faithful—i.e., do not have sex outside a mutually monogamous relationship Do not share needles or syringes or abuse prohibited drugs or alcohol
FACTS TO KNOW What are sexually-transmitted infections STIs, including HIV?
ｸ Can be caused by a virus, bacterium, protozoan or parasite ｸ Can occur as a solitary or multiple infections in an individual
ｸ Can affect certain body parts such as the reproductive organs, mouth, anus, throat, eyes or may affect the whole body
ｸ Some STIs can be treated and cured ｸ If not treated, some STIs can cause serious health problems or complications such as
infertility, blindness, and complications during pregnancy, paralysis and even death ｸ HIV cannot be cured and is one of the leading causes of death among men and
women in the reproductive age group
How are STIs, including HIV, transmitted?
ｸ Unprotected sexual intercourse either through vaginal, anal, or oral sex ｸ Exchange of infected blood and blood products such as contaminated needles
ｸ Mother to child transmission during pregnancy, delivery and through breastfeeding ｸ Close contact, such as with herpes, scabies and pubic lice
What are the factors that influence the transmission of STIs, including HIV?
ｸ Having unprotected sex ｸ Having or having had sex with multiple sexual partners
ｸ Having sex with partners whose sexual history or STIHIV status you do not know ｸ Failing to follow safe sex measures—e.g., not using a condom
ｸ Delay in treatment of STI ｸ Having sex with infected partners who are not treated
ｸ Poor compliance with STI treatment ｸ Being a woman the vaginal wall is more receptive to infections
PHE CBD and PHE Adult Peer Education System: Train-the-Trainer Guide 141
What are the usual signs and symptoms of STIs?
ｸ Unusual vaginal or urethral discharge ｸ Genital lesions such as painful blisters, cauliflower-like growth
ｸ Genital ulcers
ｸ Lower abdominal pain ｸ Scrotal pain and swelling
ｸ Painful urination
ｸ Genital itchiness
Note : HIV does not have signs and symptoms
Who can be infected with STIs, including HIV?
ｸ Anyone who has unprotected sex, regardless of age ｸ People with certain jobs: e.g., sex workers and their clients, truck drivers, overseas
contract workers ｸ Sexually-active
persons ｸ Anyone can be infected with STIs, including HIV. The risk of getting an STI increases
if an individual engages in unprotected sexual intercourse or if she does not use a condom during sexual intercourse.
For HIV, what are the risk factors?
ｸ Current symptomstreatment of STIs and a history of previous STI infections, symptoms, and treatment for self and partners
ｸ HIV status and HIV status of partners ｸ Home life situation, e.g., partner violence rape
PHE CBD and PHE Adult Peer Education System: Train-the-Trainer Guide 142
What are the complications of STIs?
ｸ If left untreated or undetected despite the presence of sexual risk, STIs can lead to serious complications and health problems such as:
ｸ Untreated gonorrheal and chlamydial infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to infertility, an ectopic pregnancy or infection of the eyes or
lungs of the newborn. ｸ Syphilis can spread through the placenta of a pregnant mother and could cause
1spontaneous abortion or death of the infant. ｸ Venereal warts can lead to cervical cancer five to 30 years after initial infection.
ｸ HIV leads to death.
What are ways to prevent STIs, including HIV? A:
Abstain—i.e., do not engage in sex