Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections Storytelling Activity

Transcription

1 Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections Storytelling Activity Trainer s Tips Make the context and characters in the story culturally relevant.» Choose culturally relevant girls and boys names for the main characters.» Insert the name of the city in which you are working to make it easier for the women to relate.» Make any other cultural adjustments necessary to the language you use in telling the story. Set up the Activity Split the participants into small groups (about 10 women in each group). Each group should select one group leader that will share their answers with the larger group. Conduct the Activity a) Tell the participants that you will be sharing with them the story of a woman very similar to themselves. There will be two parts to the story, and after each part there will be two questions for each of the groups to discuss. b) Read Part 1 of the story (see box below). Part 1 Story Aditi was 19 years old and had just moved to [insert name of city] to work in a factory. She was single and had just moved away from her family for the first time. Soon after arriving in [insert name of city], she met a nice boy named Rohan. Aditi and Rohan started spending a lot of time together and soon fell in love and decided to have sex. When Aditi and Rohan had sex, they did not use a condom. A few weeks later, Aditi noticed a sore on her genitals. She also started experiencing pain when she passed urine and during sex.

2 c) Discuss Part 1 Answer Question 1 in small groups There are many different kinds of STIs, and each has its own symptoms. Similar to Aditi s case, sores on the genitals and pain while urinating or during sex can be symptoms of an STI. Other symptoms of an STI include:» Unusual or bad-smelling vaginal discharge» Itching genitals» Painful genitals» Sores or blisters on the genitals» Pain in the lower abdomen or pain during sex Question 1: If you were Aditi s friend, what would you tell her to do? Instruct participants to discuss the answers among themselves in the small group, and tell the group leader to be prepared to share their answers with the larger group. Once participants have shared their responses, explain what Aditi s proper response would be. d) Discuss Part 1 Answer Question 1 with the large group As we just talked about in our discussion, as soon as a person experiences a possible symptom of an STI, they should seek treatment right away. It s important to not wait until you are very ill. Treatment will protect you from more serious problems later on, and it will prevent the spread of STIs to others. The best way to ensure that you are not spreading an infection to someone else is to get tested before you have sex with a new partner. Even if you do not have any symptoms, you could still be infected with an STI and should get tested. It s also just as important that your partner gets treated at the same time. If he does not get treated, he will infect you again if you have sex. If you have been diagnosed with an STI by a doctor, buy and take all the medicine as recommended. Even if your symptoms go away, you will not be cured until all the medicine has time to work. If the symptoms do not go away after taking the medicines, see a health worker. Pain or vaginal discharge could also be caused by another problem like cancer. e) Discuss Part 1 Answer Question 2 in small groups Now, in your groups, discuss the second question. Question 2: If you were in Aditi s situation, what could you have done differently? Instruct participants to discuss the answers among themselves in the small group, and tell the group leader to be prepared to share the answers with the larger group. Once participants have shared their responses, explain how Aditi could have protected herself.

3 f) Discuss Part 1 Answer Question 2 with the large group There are a number of ways reduce your risk of contracting an STI. Some methods or approaches offer definite or a very high likelihood of protection, such as:» Abstain or have sexual contact with only one partner.» Get tested before having sex with a new partner, and ask them to get tested and share the results with you.» Use latex condoms every time you have sex, even if you are married. Other methods or approaches offer some protection from STIs and are better than doing nothing if you are unable to practice the above methods. These are:» If your partner will not use a condom, a diaphragm gives some protection against some STIs.» Wash the outside of your genitals after sex.» Pass urine after having sex.» Do not douche, and do not use herbs or powders to dry out the vagina. Douching (and washing out the vagina with soap) works against the natural wetness the vagina makes to stay healthy. When the vagina is dry, it can become irritated during sex, making it more likely to be infected with HIV and other STIs. g) Read Part 2 of the story (see box below). Part 2 Story Eventually, Aditi and Rohan decided to get married. One year later, Aditi gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Aditi and Rohan were happy. One day, Aditi started experiencing a strange itching sensation in her genitals. She also noticed a bad-smelling vaginal discharge. h) Discuss Part 2 Answer Question 3 in small groups Question 3: If you were Aditi s friend, what would you tell her to do now? Instruct participants to discuss the answers among themselves in the small group, and tell the group leader to be prepared to share their answers with the larger group. i) Discuss Part 2 Answer Question 3 in the large group Once participants have shared their responses explain how Aditi could have protected herself. Although Aditi is married, she still needs to go to the doctor to get checked and treated. And even though she is married, it s important that she continues to protect herself from getting an STI. She should also insist that Rohan get tested and treated too, since he will continue to pass her the infection if he doesn t.

4 Optional Discussion If the women seem engaged and comfortable discussing this issue, here are some additional questions you can ask related to the activity:» Question: What was the most important thing that you learned from this activity?» Question: What is one thing that you learned from today that you will start doing?» Question: Would you feel comfortable giving this advice to one of your friends?

5 Six Steps for Proper Male Condom Use Step 1: Check the condom wrapper and condom to ensure that it is not out of date or damaged. Check the expiry date on the condom package and look for signs of wear such as discolored or torn wrappers. Do not use condoms that have passed the expiry date or seem old. Step 2: Open the condom wrapper carefully. Tear the package carefully along one side. It is better not to do this using teeth or fingernails, to avoid damaging the condom. Step 3: Place the rolled-up condom on the top of the penis. Step 4: Pinch the tip of the condom (to leave space for the semen to collect). Step 5: Place the condom on the end of the penis and unroll the condom down the length of the penis by pushing down on the round rim of the condom. If this is difficult, the condom is probably inside out. You should not turn the condom the other way around as some semen could already be on it. You should open another condom and unroll it correctly over the penis. When the rim of the condom is at the base of the penis (near the pubic hair), penetration can begin. Step 6: After intercourse and ejaculation, carefully remove the condom. After intercourse and ejaculation, hold the rim of the condom and pull the penis out before it gets soft. Tie the condom in a knot, sealing in the semen. Dispose of the condom in a safe place. Use a new condom each time you have penetrative sex. 1 1 Driving for Change, A training toolkit for HIV/AIDS for the road transport sector. al/wcms_ pdf

6 Five Steps for Proper Female Condom Use To insert the female condom apply the following Step 1: Apply spermicide or lubricant on the outside of the closed end. Apply spermicide or lubricant to the outside of the closed end of the female condom. Step 2: Insert the female condom Find a comfortable position. You can stand with one foot on a chair, sit on the edge of a chair, lie down, or squat. Squeeze together the sides of the inner ring at the closed end of the condom and insert it into the vagina like a tampon. Step 4: Push the inner ring into the vagina as far as it can go until it reaches the cervix. Pull out your finger and let the outer ring hang about an inch outside the vagina. Step 5: After intercourse and ejaculation, carefully remove the condom. After intercourse and ejaculation, squeeze and twist the outer ring to keep semen inside the pouch. Gently pull the condom out of the vagina or anus. Throw it away. Do not flush it down the toilet. Do not reuse the female condom. During vaginal intercourse, it is normal for the female condom to move side to side. Stop intercourse if the penis slips between the condom and the walls of the vagina or if the outer ring is pushed into the vagina. As long as your partner has not yet ejaculated, you can gently remove the condom from the vagina, add extra spermicide or lubricant, and insert it once again. 2 2 Adapted from Planned Parenthood, Female Condom.