I find this topic really interesting because, as an afrodescendant myself, I've witnessed the stigma that comes with suffering from any STD my whole life. Specially on women. Apart from the conditions of unhygiene that we can find in abandoned villages in any part of Africa, africans demonize the use of proteccion during sexual acts. I am glad that association like MASA exist, but the real problem in this country -as well as in the rest of the continent, sadly- is the lack of, among other topics, sexual education.
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So true. Moreover I think education in general is a key to fight against STDs, not only sexual education also science knowledge is capable to open minds and eradicate stigmas
In some cultures, prevention of diseases such as STDs or many others aren't truly understood.
In this case, I find it important to treat those who are ill, but, I find it even more important to make people conscious of the need of prevention.
I completely agree with you, there are plenty of diseases that could be easily prevented not with money or expensive treatments but with education. In this case, sexual education would make a huge difference in the outcome of the disease and also on the lives of those who have it because, as you said, the stigma that comes with STDs is still extremely high nowadays, especially on women.
I agree with you!
Botswana’s first national HIV programme was in 1988. Different strategies have evolved since then. One of the most successful programmes is the teacher-capacity building programme.The programme improves teachers’ knowledge on HIV and AIDS to demystify and reduce stigma.
However, according to UNAIDS, adolescents and young adults have been “largely neglected and left behind by the national HIV response”. HIV and AIDS services targeting adolescents and young adults are inadequate and often perceived by the beneficiaries as “unfriendly”. Something has to be done more effectively!
I agree. I think that nowadays, particularly in underdeveloped countries, there is a great lack of information and a lot of prejudice regarding these issues. a development in this aspect would be a great step forward in solving some problems related to sexually transmitted infections.