HIV and STI Awareness

Transcription

1 HIV and STI Awareness A Toolkit for GACC SafeSites Created by Advocates for Youth and the American Sexual Health Association

2 Every day almost 25,000 young people age get an STI (sexually transmitted infection). College-aged young people are the age group most likely to acquire an STI. Yet, understanding what causes STIs and how to prevent them can help college and university students protect themselves. That s why it s important that everyone have access to information and resources that can help them prevent STIs. By handing out condoms through the Great American Condom Campaign, you are already taking steps to help your fellow students prevent many STIs. But you can take it a step further by promoting awareness of HIV and STIs and advocating for comprehensive STI testing on your campus. Facts About STIs What are STIs? STIs are sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STI is considered a more accurate term by many public health professionals because something isn t a disease unless it has symptoms, but people who have STIs often have NO symptoms (but can still transmit the infection to others, or develop symptoms in the future). The term STD is still commonly used. Bacterial STIs (such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia) are caused by bacteria, and can be cured. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite, and can be cured. Viral STIs (such as HIV, HPV, and herpes ) have no cure but can be treated and managed in most cases. How Can I Protect Myself and my Partner? Abstinence, or not having vaginal, oral, or anal sex, provides 100 percent protection from STIs. Monogamy (a long term, mutually faithful relationship with a person who has tested negative for STIs) also provides protection against infection. Condoms, used consistently and correctly every time, are highly effective in protecting from HIV, and reduce the risk of acquiring other STIs. A person can be infected with STIs, and capable of transmitting them to others, but show no symptoms so regular testing is important. Testing is available at many campus health centers, family planning clinics (like Planned Parenthood), STI clinics, doctor s offices, and hospitals. The cost of STD testing varies. Some clinics offer scale pricing or even free testing for students or those with low incomes; most accept insurance. When scheduling testing, ask about price when you make the appointment. Common STIs CHLAMYDIA Bacterial; can be cured with antibiotics; symptoms may include a burning sensation while urinating, abnormal discharge from vagina or penis, or there may be no symptoms. GONORRHEA Bacterial; can be cured with antibiotics; symptoms may include a burning sensation while urinating, abnormal discharge from vagina or penis, or there may be no symptoms. amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc HIV and STI Awareness: A Toolkit for GACC SafeSites 2

3 HERPES Viral; cannot be cured, but outbreaks can be controlled with antiviral medication; symptoms may include sores and blisters around the genital or anal areas, or there may be no symptoms. HIV Viral; cannot be cured, but can be treated with anti-retroviral medication. People with HIV may initially show no symptoms, but HIV can lead to AIDS, which compromises the immune system. HPV Viral; the body can fight off some types, but others cause illness, including genital warts and cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine can protect from some types of HPV. Some with HPV may have genital warts, while others show no symptoms. SYPHILIS Bacterial; can be cured with antibiotics; symptoms begin with sores on the body and progress to skin rashes, lesions, and can lead to death. TRICHOMONIASIS Caused by a parasite; can be cured with antibiotics; symptoms include pain during urination and unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, or there may be no symptoms. Learn more about STIs at amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc/stds Ask a health care provider about testing for each of these STIs! RaIsIng Awareness about HIV and STIs Here are a few ways you can help educate your fellow students about STIs and how to stay safe! Booth/Tabling If you re a student on a college/high school campus, you could set up a booth or table to promote awareness of HIV and STIs. Make sure it s in a high-traffic area so people will see you as they walk by. For instance, in front of the cafeteria or inside the student center. You could also set up somewhere in your community. Like a grocery store or shopping center. At the table, make sure to have GACC resources and other HIV/STIs related informational material to hand out to passersby, including this pamphlet, stickers, buttons, and poster. [Links to materials where relevant] If you are part of an organization, tabling is a good opportunity to recruit new members or collect addresses for a periodical newsletter. Use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share pictures and messages about HIV and STI awareness and be sure to tag with #GACC. You can share: A link to the GACC brochure and other materials - amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc-toolkit Information about GACC events Where folks can get free condoms Facts and stats about HIV and STIs Pictures of your friends and community Host a Film Screening If you have access to a theater or even just a room and projector, a movie screening is an ideal event to highlight the impact of HIV & AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections. This event could be held at a number of venues including college campuses, churches and community centers. It is even possible to ask amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc HIV and STI Awareness: A Toolkit for GACC SafeSites 3

4 local theaters to screen the movie or donate space during off-peak hours. There are a great variety of films to choose from and even films with more complicated representations of HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections can create an excellent opportunity for a post screening discussion. You could hold a panel discussion afterwards or simply start one with the audience. You ll need: Venue, copy of a film about HIV/AIDS or STDs, discussion guide, DVD player/television/ projector, handouts. Condom Distribution Events Fellow SafeSites from across the country have shared a number of awesome ideas for distributing condoms. You can also provide safer sex info and/or STI information while distributing the condoms. Click here for downloadable resources amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc-toolkit Here are a few that may be helpful in upcoming months For Halloween (or any other themed party you may attend), dress up as a condom fairy or a condom dispenser You can host a sexual health event. Creative titles we liked include: Sex-travaganza Sex, Milk and Cookies Sexploration Better Sex, Safer Sex Condom Bingo Condoms and Candy Sextival Safer Sex Day Latex Luau Safer Sex on the Beach Safer Sex in the City Sex and Chocolate Night (yes, there was a chocolate fountain) Tape envelopes to your door and fill them with condoms and STI brochures for people to take at will You can hand out condoms with safer sex information and lollipops You can set up tables or informational booths on campus You can hand out condoms and STI awareness materials during: HIV testing events Parties Football games or other sporting events Health fairs amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc HIV and STI Awareness: A Toolkit for GACC SafeSites 4

5 Club meetings Concerts Dance marathons Class Improv shows Rallies Arts festivals Join Thousands in Hosting National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day Events National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day is a day to educate the public about the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people as well as highlight the amazing work young people are doing across the country to fight the HIV & AIDS epidemic. Learn more and download tools for how to host a NYHAAD event, here. Advocate for Comprehensive STI Testing on Your Campus Many campus health centers offer testing for STIs, but around the nation, there are gaps in access for college students. For instance, many campuses don t offer testing for trichomoniasis, even though it is the third most common STI. You can work to change that. Here are a few steps you can take: 1. Find out what STI tests your health center offers, when they offer them, and how much they cost. Identify any barriers to students access of STI testing. 2. Begin an advocacy campaign to remove barriers and increase students access to testing. This can be as simple as asking them, or it may take a concerted organizing effort. You can learn more about organizing for change in Advocates for Youth s Youth Activist Toolkit. Key steps include: a. SETTING A STRATEGY. What s the specific change you want to see? Who can make the change happen? What resources do you have, and who are potential supporters? Who can make the change you want to see? Who agrees with your mission and would sign a petition, participate in a social media campaign, or take other action? b. GAIN SUPPORTERS. As GACC SafeSites you have access to many of your fellow students who are interested in promoting safe sex or just support students access to prevention resources like testing. Let them know about the gaps in STI prevention at the health center and how you re working to change that. If you re tabling for awareness events, incorporate activism as well. Use social media, including groups and popular campus hashtags, to recruit supporters. c. USE YOUR POWER. Let decision makers know that the student body supports comprehensive STI testing. Get supporters to sign a petition, and deliver it. Ask your campus paper to cover the issue. Have students call or the health center and ask for trichomoniasis testing to be offered. Visit the decision maker in person and ask for change. If appropriate, consider direct action, like a protest or sit-in. The efforts of even a few students can make real change on campus, so don t hesitate to start working to increase STI testing availability. Learn more from Advocates for Youth s Youth Activist Toolkit. amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc HIV and STI Awareness: A Toolkit for GACC SafeSites 5

6 PRINTOUTS amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc HIV and STI Awareness: A Toolkit for GACC SafeSites 6

7 condoms: get the facts CONDOMS When uses consistently and correctly, latex condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV (during vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse). Latex condoms are also effective in preventing pregnancy and several STDS. Condoms are most effective for pregnancy prevention when they are used in combination with another method of contraception, such as the pill. GENERAL TIPS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE Use a water based lubricant such as Astroglide or KY Jelly to decrease the chance of the condom breaking. To decrease the chance of the condoms slipping down the insertive partner or falling off inside the receptive partner, pull out as soon as you re finished, especially if ejaculation occurs. Hold the rim of the condom onto the shaft of the penis during withdrawal. Never re-use a condom. MYTH: We use the pill so we don t need to use a condom. FACT: While the pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, it does not protect from HIV/AIDS or other STDs. Make sure to use a condom for added protection. MYTH: Wearing two condoms will provide extra protection. FACT: Using more than one condom creates friction and can cause them to rip. USEFUL RESOURCES An online community dedicated to sexual health, reproductive justice and youth-led progressive activism. ASHA s All About Condoms page. Resources about emergency contraception and a directory of providers in your area. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sponsored website that includes a searchable directory of HIV and STD testing centers across the US. A health question and answer Internet resource produced by the Health Services Division of Columbia University. ecotc.tumblr.com/resource The place to celebrate and explore the new status of emergency contraception. CONDOMOLOGY, a collection of fact-based information in simple, easy-to-understand language. a project of

8 Everyday almost 25,000 young people age get an STD. Condoms are the most effective way to prevent STDs for people that are sexually active. Use a condom every time. Do It For Your Country. A message from More than 80% of young people have had sex by age 20. Condoms are the most effective way to prevent STDs for people that are sexually active. Use a condom every time. Do It For Your Country. A message from More than 80% of young people have had sex by age 20. Condoms are the most effective way to prevent STDs for people that are sexually active. Use a condom every time. Do It For Your Country. A message from Everyday almost 25,000 young people age get an STD. Condoms are the most effective way to prevent STDs for people that are sexually active. Use a condom every time. Do It For Your Country. A message from

9 GACC distribution TIPs Fellow SafeSites from across the country have shared a number of awesome ideas for distributing condoms. Here are a few that may be helpful un upcoming months For Halloween (or any other themed party you may attend), dress up as a condom fairy or a condom dispenser You can host a sexual health event. Creative titles we liked include: Sex-travaganza Sex, Milk and Cookies Sexploration Better Sex, Safer Sex Condom Bingo Condoms and Candy Sextival Safer Sex Day Latex Luau Safer Sex on the Beach Safer Sex in the City Sex and Chocolate Night (yes, there was a chocolate fountain) Tape envelopes to your door and fill them with condoms for people to take at will You can hand out condoms with safer sex information and lollipops You can set up tables or informational booths on campus You can hand out condoms during: HIV testing events Parties Football games or other sporting events Health fairs Club meetings Concerts Dance marathons Class Improv shows Rallies Arts festivals If you have any more ideas or would like to share events/distribution plans that have gone particularly well, please gacc@advocatesforyouth.org. a project of

10 how to use a condom Think ya know it all? Well, indulge us and review the basics anyway. Condom breakage is often the result of improper use, so learn to use them correctly. Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly during vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, are highly effective in preventing pregnancy the sexual transmission of HIV. They are also effective in preventing most sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are transmitted when infected semen or vaginal or other body fluids contact mucosal surfaces. Condoms provide a great level of protection against these STIs because they protect both partners against exposure to the other s body fluids. Condoms also provide some protection against STIs such as genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, and human papillomavirus (HPV) which are transmitted primarily through contact with infected skin or with mucosal surfaces. Because these STIs may be transmitted by contact with surface not covered or protected by the condom, condoms provide a lesser degree of protection against them. For those with latex allergies, polyurethane condoms are also effective barriers. NOW LET S GET STARTED First, check the expiration date on the condom package. If you re too drunk to find the expiration date, you re too drunk to be having sex! Don t use condoms that have been exposed to heat or light (or the one that has been sitting in your wallet since 7th grade) Use foil-wrapped condoms, not clear-plastic wrapped novelty condoms. Carefully tear open the package and not with your teeth! Pinch the reservoir tip in between your fingers and unroll the condom all the way down the erect penis, making sure to leave the reservoir tip at the end and making sure to get all the air out. Use PLENTY of water based or silicone based lubricant, especially if you are having anal sex. NOTE: Oil based lubricants or lotions like massage oils or Vaseline will destroy the condom!! Remember, failure to use enough can cause the condom to break with friction and may cause physical injury and or discomfort to your partner. Pay attention to the condom s position on the penis during sex. Make sure it is rolled down the whole shaft of the penis and that it hasn t slipped off. After intercourse, while the penis is still erect, grasp the condom as you pull out. Only then you should remove the condom. Wrap the used condom in tissue and toss it in the garbage. Don t flush it! Don t tie the end up, since air kills HIV and some other infectious agents, and sealing up the condom could just prolong the life of the virus. Never reuse a condom. Put a new condom on if you are switching between vaginal and anal sex, or vaginal and oral sex, or oral and anal sex. a project of

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12 #DontbTriched Trichomoniasis increases your risk for HIV... get tested. amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc/trich use a condom every time.

13 More downloads Editable Flyer to advertise your events (Microsoft Word Document) STDs & HIV Brochure/Poster click to download click to download storage/advfy/documents/gacc/ gacceditable%20flier% docx What is Trich? Trich (trichomoniasis) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite. It can increase your chances of acquiring HIV. It can cause discharge and painful urination, or there may be no symptoms. Luckily, trich is easy to cure with just one dose of antibiotics! #DontbTriched Trichomoniasis increases your risk for HIV... get tested. amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc/trich use a condom every time. #DontbTriched Trichomoniasis increases your risk for HIV... get tested. amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc/trich Regular testing can help reduce your risk of acquiring or transmitting STIs. You can get tested at a doctor s office or STI clinic - or your campus health center may offer it. Get Involved: Go to to learn more about trich and sign up to get materials so you can raise awareness about sexual health services on your campus! use a condom every time. Sticker Graphic Wallet Card (sheet of 8 for making copies) click to download click to download amplifyyourvoice.org/gacc HIV and STI Awareness: A Toolkit for GACC SafeSites 13