Although the emphasis for STOP is on the sexually active population STOP also encourages abstinence as a prevention measure. Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing HIV from the major way in which it is contracted.
To avoid contracting HIV and for health and safety reasons, you are entitled to Abstain. There's nothing weird or "uptight" with choosing abstinence - It's about what works for you. If you are in a relationship, it is important to discuss with your partner what abstinence means to you. Talk about HIV and HIV prevention as well as acceptable expressions of sexuality such as holding hands, cuddling, kissing etc.
Delaying of sexual debut becomes important when you look at the fact that HIV is a direct consequence of having sex.
Abstinence is also encouraged when an individual find themselves in between relationships.
Secondary Abstinence can also be practiced if you find yourself in a broken relationship.
There are many adults that choose to abstain and it is not just confined to young kids. When in doubt abstain. You don't trust your partner. You are not free in your relationship if you are unable to talk to your partner and resolve issues.
You are oppressed if you cannot put matters on the table with your partner.
Being Faithful.
The HIV epidemic in South Africa is very real. Every single day, 1500 people in South Africa get infected with HIV and 1000 die of AIDS. This epidemic is driven by Multiple Concurrent Partners (MCP). To break the MCP chain requires you to be faithful.
Being faithful means that agree to be sexually active with only one person, who also agrees to be sexually active with only you. As a sexually active individual, you have the absolute power to protect yourself from being infected with HIV. The sure way to prevent new HIV infections is to stick to one partner.
Sticking to one partner is a two way street.
Be faithful to yourself and your partner.
Make sure that your partner is also only sticking to you.
When you stick to one partner (STOP), you have the peace of mind that you are not part of a sexual network. You are playing your part in reducing the new HIV infections which are as a direct result of many sexual networks. You are stopping HIV and encouraging others to do the same
Compassionate and caring intimacy.
Being in a compassionate, caring one safe relationship is a fireproof way of protecting yourself from new HIV infections. You are in a partnership where there is mutual respect and concern for each other. Both of you can devise a step by step prevention plan to protect yourselves from HIV and AIDS.
If you are HIV negative, then you ensure that both of you stay negative.
If one of you is infected ensure that you do not transmit the virus to your partner.
If both of you are infected you need to make sure that you do not re-infect each other. Both of you can help each other to take steps to avoid the onset of AIDS.
Your safety is important and you can negotiate and practice safer sex and apply risk reduction.
Safer sex includes the consistent and correct use of condoms. Remember using a condom is not 100% safe - only around 80% safe IF USED PROPERLY and consistently at every sexual encounter.
Condom use is a sign of your affinity to safety, how informed you are, not an indicator of how promiscuous you are.
Risk reduction includes Circumcision for males. Male circumcision provides only partial protection. Clinical trials in South Africa (at Orange Farm in Gauteng), Kenya and Uganda have demonstrated that males who are circumcised have close to 60% less chance of acquiring HIV during sexual intercourse.
In this compassionate caring relationship; you and your partner both look out for each other. You are able to put your safety first. You are both empowered to talk openly about sex, safer sex and risk reduction.
Disclosure
Once you learn that you are HIV positive, revealing results can be very daunting and can lead to discrimination and stigma. It is vital to offload to those that you trust so that you begin to adjust to your diagnosis and work towards personal acceptance. Disclosure is all about seeking a support structure which you can draw from when in need. Disclose to your partner/spouse and family members. Your support base can help you come to terms with HIV.
Disclose only on a limited basis to (support structures like a partner, spouse, family members and close relationships) to promote positive prevention.
Encourage shared confidentiality with family, loved ones, caregivers and trusted friends.
Seek ongoing counseling to assist you to deal with the shock, trauma, hurt, disappointment and anger that you are infected.
Follow your doctor's advice on safer sex and risk reduction.
Motivate others to go for testing.
The benefits of disclosing is that you are able to link up with someone you can communicate, share and relay what you are going through without being judged. This is also a good starting point for taking the lead in driving awareness about HIV and HIV Prevention.
Once you learn that you are HIV positive, revealing results can be very daunting and can lead to discrimination and stigma. It is vital to offload to those that you trust so that you begin to adjust to your diagnosis and work towards personal acceptance. Disclosure is all about seeking a support structure which you can draw from when in need. Disclose to your partner/spouse and family members. Your support base can help you come to terms with HIV.
Disclose only on a limited basis to (support structures like a partner, spouse, family members and close relationships) to promote positive prevention.
Encourage shared confidentiality with family, loved ones, caregivers and trusted friends.
Seek ongoing counseling to assist you to deal with the shock, trauma, hurt, disappointment and anger that you are infected.
Follow your doctor's advice on safer sex and risk reduction.
Motivate others to go for testing.
The benefits of disclosing is that you are able to link up with someone you can communicate, share and relay what you are going through without being judged. This is also a good starting point for taking the lead in driving awareness about HIV and HIV Prevention.
Source : http://www.tshepangtrust.org
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