Appendix 5 - Example of a brochure on safer sexual behaviour

World Health Organization: Global Programme on AIDS RECOMMENDATIONS

About Safer Sex

· Whether you are a man or a woman, you can become infected with HIV through the sexual secretions of an HIV-infected partner, especially if you engage in unprotected sex.

· Mutual fidelity between two uninfected partners protects both people from HIV.

· The more sex partners you have, the greater the risk that one of them will be infected and will infect you and the greater the risk that you will infect others. The more partners your partner has, the greater the risk that he or she will be infected and can infect you.

· The presence of sexually transmitted diseases increases the risk of HIV infection.

· Even if a condom is used, some sexual practices are more risky than others.

If you and your sex partner are HIV-seronegative and maintain a monogamous relationship, do not inject drugs, share needles, or receive transfusions of infected blood - and have never done so - you are not at risk of HIV infection. If you are unsure about any of these factors, it is important for both of you to practise safer sex.

Tips for Safer Sex

The four key tips for safer sex, as summarized below, will reduce the risk of HIV transmission through sexual behaviour.

1. Always use a condom during vaginal or oral intercourse (see details on next page).

2. Anal intercourse is one of the riskiest practices. If you engage in anal intercourse, use a good-quality, well lubricated condom. The extra lubrication will reduce the likelihood that the condom will be damaged during this form of sex.

3. To be even safer, engage in imaginative non-penetrative sex, such as caressing or massaging any part of the body, masturbation (provided that sexual secretions do not come into contact with exposed mucous membrane or with cuts or sores on the partner’s skin) and kissing that does not involve exchange of blood.

4. The safest course of all is abstinence.

World Health Organization: Global Programme on AIDS RECOMMENDATIONS

How to use a condom

· Be sure to have a condom before you need it.

· Use a condom with every act of vaginal, oral or anal intercourse unless you are absolutely sure that you and your sexual partner are both uninfected. This means that you have both had a negative HIV test result or that neither of you has had other partners, received a transfusion of infected blood or used intravenous drugs for at least 10 years, or since your negative test results. If you are not sure, use condoms.

· Before the penis touches the partner, place the condom on top of the erect penis. Hold the condom so that the rolled rim is on the side away from the body. If uncircumcized, pull the foreskin back. It should unroll easily and not need to be streched.

· After ejaculation, hold the condom rim to the base of the penis while pulling the penis out. This makes sure that the condom will not slip off.

· Take off the condom without spilling semen.

· Throw the used condom away into normal rubbish receptacles. Do not use a condom more than once.

· Use another condom if the one you have:

- has torn or damaged packaging;
- bears a manufacturing date more than five years past;
- is uneven or changed in colour;
- feels brittle, dried out, or very sticky.

Tips for Condom Care

Heeding these tips will help keep condoms breaking or leaking.

1. Store condoms in a cool dark place, if possible. Heat, light and humidity can damage condoms.

2. If you have a choice, choose prelubricated condoms that come in square wrappers and are packaged so that light does not reach them. The lubrication may make them less likely to tear during handling or use. Protection from light slows deterioration.

3. Take care handling condoms. Fingernails and rings can tear them.

4. If you want a lubricant, use silicone or other lubricants that do not contain oil. These include glycerin and specially products such as K-Y Jelly. Spermicidal jelly and foam are also good lubricants and add more protection against pregnancy and STDs. Do not use cooking oils or shortening, baby oil, mineral oil, petroleum jellies (such as Vaseline), skin lotions, suntan lotions, cold creams, butter, or margarine.

5. Do not unroll condoms before using them. You may weaken them, and an unrolled condom is difficult to put on. Keep extra condoms on hand if you want to practise.