Helping to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections
We work to reduce the number of people living with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by integrating HIV/STI prevention and treatment services.
There are an estimated 35 million people living with HIV worldwide, more than two thirds of them in sub-Saharan Africa. The number of people dying from AIDS has been reduced by the roll-out of effective treatments in recent years, but the virus still claimed 1.5 million lives in 2013.
STIs, including HIV, are infections that can be passed through sexual activity and sometimes during childbirth.
When STIs are treated early, you can prevent many of the negative outcomes of STIs, including infertility in both men and women. Testing and treatment is important for sexually active people and for pregnant women.
There are many different types of STIs. Some of these have symptoms, while others don’t. Some symptoms may take longer to appear. If you have an STI but have no symptoms, you could still pass the STI on to other sexual partners.
Many people often don't notice symptoms when they have an STI.
Left untreated, STIs can affect your health. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, we recommend getting tested as soon as possible.
These symptoms may also be because of other reproductive health issues, not just STIs. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best that you come for a consultation so we can help to identify and treat the problem.
Our work on HIV and other STIs is fully integrated into our broader sexual and reproductive health programmes.
Poor sexual and reproductive health and HIV infection have common roots in poverty, gender inequality, stigma and cultural norms.
It therefore makes sense to wrap these services into a holistic programme that supports progress towards good health as a whole.
Our HIV/AIDS programmes are primarily focused on prevention of new infections.
We work with communities to spread prevention messages via educational campaigns aimed at behaviour change.
We offer voluntary testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and the counselling that must accompany it. We diagnose and treat a range of sexually transmitted infections, and we refer HIV-positive clients to agencies that offer treatment options.
Prevention of vertical transmission (transmission mother to child) of HIV is an important area of our work.
Vertical transmission occurs when HIV passes from a woman to her baby during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or breastfeeding.
Without treatment, around 15-30% of babies born to women living with HIV will become infected with HIV during pregnancy and delivery. A further 5-20% will become infected through breastfeeding. In 2010, 390,000 children under 15 worldwide became infected with HIV, mainly through mother-to-child transmission.
We’re working to stop children becoming infected in this way by integrating a package of PMTCT measures into our wider programmes through antenatal and safe delivery care. Our integrated services for women include antenatal care, nutritional advice, PMTCT, and a safe delivery for HIV positive and negative women
If you're ever in doubt that you may have a sexually transmitted infection, it's always best to book and take a test just to make sure.
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