AFEW: Projects >> 2^nd Mass Media Campaign on Safer Sex (Russian Federation) >> Campaign Leaflet

Campaign Leaflet

From words to actions
Start thinking, what do you know about venereal diseases and AIDS?
Probably you know that infections, causing these diseases, are transmitted through sexual contacts mostly. And you know not only that it is possible to avoid infection, you even know HOW to do it.
Why don't we apply our knowledge in practice? May be it seems to us that it's no concern of us?
Let's try to find out one more time what this notion - "Safe Sex" - means.

HIV and AIDS. What is the difference?
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.
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 and when it has happened a person has developed AIDS. 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 (without a condom);
*direct contact between the blood of two persons one of whom is infected;
for example: - sharing infected needles and syringes;
- 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 through kissing or saliva;
*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 traveling by public transport;
*NOT from animals or insects bites;
.
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 our country is increasing rapidly. In 1992 the number of new syphilis cases was 13,3 for 100 000 people and in 1997 - 277,3. 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 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.

Don't delay a visit to a doctor
Don't delay a visit to doctor if you have 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
Reasonable person - reasonable choice.
Reasonable person chooses safe sex!
Sexuality is a natural feeling that brings charm and brightness in our life.But at the same time sexuality could lead to many diseases.
There is only one way to protect your own health and health of your partner - this is safe sex, sex when blood, semen and vaginal fluid don't get into your body.

Safe sex means that you can:
*kiss and deep kiss (French kissing)
* lie close together, cuddling
*caress or massage each other
*mutual masturbation
* have penetrative sexual 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.

Talk to your partner about it
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. Telling someone that 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. If your partner still refuses to use condom, just suggest to him (her) to read this leaflet together. Remember that it is better to refuse to have sexual contact than expose your health and health of your partner to a risk.
Once you made the attitude towards Safe Sex clear, you and your partner will feel much better.

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 HIV and other sexually transmitted infections from getting through.
The very first time you use a condom it may well be awkward, so practice 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 centimeter) 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.
- do not use two condoms putting one on another, 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.

The choice is always yours
We want to 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 - make it safe. And you won't have to worry about your health later.

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.
- 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. 280-5785.
- Information Centre "GERA", working in the field of sexual and reproductive health with professional audience. Tel. 916-3966.
- Non-profit nongovernmental organization "AIDS-infoshare". Library and the resource Centre. Informational and technical support to NGOs, investigations in the field of human rights and health protection. Tel. (095) 119-3316. Address: Moscow, 105037, box 51.
- Ogonjok-Anti-HIV Tel. 203-0396.

Want to know more?
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 N113, ul. Kuusinena 8 tel. 195-4786
- East District
Polyclinic N175, ul. Chelyabinskaya 16A tel. 300-7220
- West District
Polyclinic N40, Ramenki 27 tel. 445-4331
- 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 Non-profit partnership organization for civic initiatives support "Focus". The materials for compiling of the leaflet were given by international organization MSF-Holland, the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation and Russian non-governmental organizations working in the field of AIDS prevention. In the text materials were used from the brochure published by Foundation for STD Control with the adaptations to the specific situation in Russia.

This leaflet was published under finacial support of the following organizations:
- TACIS (Program of technical support to the NIS / Democratic program);
- Ancell Corporation, producer of Life Styles and Contempo condoms brands;
- Independent humanitarian organization MSF-Holland.