AFEW: Projects >> 1^st Mass Media Campaign on Safer Sex (Russian Federation) >> Campaign Leaflet

Campaign Leaflet

Introduction

The difference between "knowing " and "doing"
We know about STD and about AIDS. We've read somewhere or been told that infections, causing these diseases, are transmitted through sexual contacts. We know not only that we can protect ourselves, we even know HOW to do it. But for some reason there is a big difference between "knowing" and "doing". Maybe it is because our knowledge is not deep enough? Let's try to find out one more time what this notion - "Safe Sex" - means.

AIDS

A disease which damages the immune system
AIDS (Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome) is an infectious disease that is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that destroys the immune system. Having AIDS means to be infected with HIV and have a damaged immune system.
The immune system is a vital part of our body. It is responsible for fighting off infections. When you've been infected, your body reacts by producing antibodies, particular for each disease. There are certain antibodies for fighting HIV, but they are not capable of destroying this virus. The virus even starts to destroy the immune system itself.
People infected with HIV are losing the ability to combat any kind of disease. The period before the symptoms start to appear; HIV can live in a body for 10 years.
The only way to say whether the person is HIV positive is a HIV blood-test (detailed information you can receive at the telephone numbers from the list at the end of the booklet).

How do you get infected?
Infection with HIV can occur in various ways. The virus can be transmitted by:
*unsafe sex
*direct contact between the blood of two persons one of whom is infected
for example: - sharing infected needles and syringes
- a blood transfusion with infected blood
*during pregnancy, from mother to unborn child
HIV is spread by blood, semen, vaginal fluid, mother milk, but not by other liquids (such as saliva, sweat, tears, urine and faeces).

How AIDS is not transmitted
There is a fear that people can get HIV from normal social contacts. This fear is unfounded.
You CAN NOT get infected through social contact:
*NOT from shaking hands or hugging
*NOT from sweat or tears
*NOT from sneezing or coughing
*NOT by using other people's forks, knives, spoons, glasses, plates or bed linen
*NOT by using a toilet of an infected person
*NOT from travelling by public transport
*NOT from animals or insects bites
*NOT through kissing or saliva.
(Look further for sexual contacts)

Sexually transmitted diseases
(Venereal diseases)

More on sexually transmitted diseases
Not just HIV, but also other sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, etc.) can be transmitted through unsafe sexual contact. STDs are common. At the moment STDs in Russia increase rapidly. Some STDs are only inconvenient, but others may cause infertility or lead to even more serious problems, if not treated in time. Moreover, persons suffering from a sexually transmitted diseases may be more easily infected with HIV. It is easier for the virus to get into body through sores, warts and other skin injuries caused by sexually transmitted diseases.

See a doctor if you are worried
Don't delay a visit to doctor if you noticed some of the following signs:
*discharge or pus from penis, vagina, or anus
*burning feeling when passing urine
* sores, warts or blisters on the penis, vagina, anus or mouth
*irritation in or around the genital area.
Don't sit there worrying about it. You may be sick. An STD won't go away by itself. Fortunately, most sexually transmitted diseases can be cured.

Taking precautions

Safe Sex - your choice
What a shame that something as enjoyable as sex can lead to so many annoying, painful and even life-threatening diseases. There is only one way of making sure you don't get infected: Safe Sex, sex when blood, semen and vaginal fluid don't get into your body.
What is completely safe is:
*kissing and deep kissing (French kissing)
* lying close together, cuddling
*caressing or massaging each other
*mutual masturbation
*vaginal intercourse always with a condom.
Safe Sex might take some getting used, but there comes a time that it is a part of real enjoyment.

The choice is always yours
We live in a free society. Freedom, first of all, means the freedom of choice. Nobody should make you do something you don't want to. It is your life and your choice.
If you choose sex - play safe. And you won't have to worry about your health later.

It is better to be clear

How to start talking about it?
We easily can talk about sex with our friends, but for some reason are ashamed to talk about it with our partner. If you are going to have Safe Sex, you'll have to make it clear to your partner before you are sexually aroused, as that's when it is really difficult to bring it up. If you still find it difficult, just take out a condom. You can make a joke out of it. Once you've made the attitude towards Safe Sex clear, you and your partner will feel a lot better.
Telling someone you want to use condoms doesn't mean you don't trust them. On the contrary; it means that you want to protect each other. And that you have a sense of responsibility.

Condoms and lubricants

It always takes some getting used to
A condom is a very strong, thin, latex sheath that is put around the penis. A condom prevents the HIV and other sexually transmitted infections from getting through.
The very first time you use a condom it may well be awkward, so practise by yourself beforehand. That will make it a lot easier when you use it together with your partner.
For decreasing friction between a condom and vagina lubricants are used. They make the usage of condoms more comfortable.

How to use a condom
- avoid any contact between the penis and the vagina or anus before the condom has been put on.
- open the packet carefully. Be sure not to damage the condom with sharp nails or jewellery.
- put the condom on only when the penis is completely erect.
- there must be some space at the tip of the condom to hold the semen. That's why most condoms have a teat. Squeeze either the tip of the condom (about one centimetre) or the teat tightly so that there's no air in it, and unroll the condom.
- if you want to use a lubricant make sure it is water based. Never use oil, baseline or other creams, as grease damages the rubber.
- after you have come, withdraw the penis straightaway. Hold on to the condom while you are doing so. If you wait too long and the penis becomes limp, the condom could slip off.
- throw the used condom in the little bin.
- use the condom only once.
- two condoms on top of each other may seem even safer, but friction just causes them to tear.

Buying condoms - get rid of false shame!
If you are a civilised person, buying condoms for you is as natural as buying chewing gum or aspirin. The times, when we whispered something incomprehensible, were afraid to look the salesmen in the face, are gone.

# Taking drugs is also taking a risk
Drugs threaten your health and increase the risk of getting infected with HIV.
People who inject drugs and sometimes borrow a used needle from someone else are in danger. HIV (and also Hepatitis B or C) could get into their blood through that needle with infected dried-up blood on it. Other injecting equipment and haring the same veil could also be risky. Sometimes even the drug itself contains the virus if the infected blood was used in the process of making it.
It goes without saying that drug users must also have Safer Sex at all times.

Want to know more?
If you like to know more on AIDS or STDs you can consider contacting the following organisations or institutes:
- Charity organisation "WE and YOU". AIDS Open Line - 216-6594. Anonymously, for free, 24 hours.
- AESOP Centre. If you have any questions concerning sexual health, call 925-0444, 234-3990. Moscow, ul. Pokrovka 22, building 1, room 4. E-mail <aesop@glasnet.ru>
- STD Treatment Foundation "SANAM". Anonymous testing on HIV-infection. Metro Sportivnaya, ul. Dovatora 13. Tel. 245-5470 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. With the questions on prevention call 158-2550.
- Russian Social Charity Foundation "NAMES" deals with education and HIV-prevention, psychological support of people personally connected with AIDS epidemic. Tel. 166-2418, 163-8002.
- Information Centre "GERA", working in the field of sexual and reproductive health with professional audience. Tel. 203-8654, 291-9380.

Places of anonymous HIV-testing:
- Central District
Polyclinic N4, ul. Rabochaya tel. 278-5287
- Northeast District
Polyclinic N31, ul. Snezhnaya 22 tel. 180-7552/8045
- South District
Polyclinic N211, ul. Voronezhskaya 148 tel. 388-4831/1618
- Northwest District
Polyclinic N151, ul. Planernaya 84 tel. 497-3990
- Southeast District
Polyclinic N 55, ul. Mihailova 33 tel 171-3990
- Southwest District
Polyclinic N42, ul. Golubinskaya 23 tel. 423-0733
- North District
Polyclinic N117, ul. Kuusinena 8 tel. 195-4786
- East District
Polyclinic N175, ul. Chelyabinskaya 16A tel. 300-7220
- West District
Polyclinic N131, Ramenki 27 tel. 441-7466
- Anonymous testing on the territory of the 2nd hospital
Ul. 8th Sokolinoi gory 15, kor. 3 tel. 365-0501.
- Laboratory of clinical immunology and diagnostics of AIDS by Sclifassovskiy scientific research institute - Suckarevskaya pl., 3, cor. 2, tel. 928-3300

Leaflet in Internet: http://postman.ru/~safelove

The text of the booklet was written by MSF-Holland in close co-operation with the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation and Russian non-governmental organisations working in the field of AIDS prevention. In the booklet were used materials from the brochure published by Foundation for STD Control with the adaptations to the specific situation in Russia.