SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Lesson Duration: 50 minutes

Overall Objectives

• To encourage “responsible” sexual behaviour, so as to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• To stress the importance of prevention, early recognition and treatment of STIs and to encourage “treatment seeking” behaviour.

Objectives

Clients will be able to:

1. List  3 STIs.
2. Discuss some measures to reduce the risk of contracting an STI.
3. List 3 general signs/symptoms of STIs.
4. List 3 ways in which STIs can adversely affect the foetus.
5. Demonstrate how a male condom is used.

Resources

• Flip Chart: Childbirth the Classic Series (Includes female and male reproductive anatomies).
• Model of male sexual organs or banana and condoms.
• Handouts:
  1. Sexually Transmitted Infections.
  2. If You Have Any of These Symptoms.
  3. “Think STI”.
• Pencils for clients.
• Writing pads and paper for clients.
• List of vocabulary terms.
• Script.

Introduction

A sexually transmitted infection is an infection passed through genital/genital contact, genital/mouth contact or genital/rectum contact. There are several types of STIs, but most are treatable (Genital Herpes, Hepatitis B, Human Papilloma Virus and HIV/AIIDS cannot be cured, but they can be treated and managed). STIs can harm you and your baby, therefore it is important to prevent them or treat them early if you “catch” any of them.

Body

Your partner is an important part of your pregnancy. Both of you have the shared responsibility for your pregnancy, delivery and aftercare of yourself and the baby.

If you are found to have an STI, your partner must be treated also, otherwise you will become “infected again” despite having treatment. This can cause harm to you and your baby. Sexual intercourse must be avoided until both partners have been cured.

Other than abstinence, the use of a condom is the next best method to prevent STIs.

Types of STIs

Gonorrhea, also known as “The Claps”

Signs & Symptoms:
Mucous discharge with pus, swelling and infection of the cervix. Can occur with other sexually transmitted infections. Neither partner may have symptoms. Symptoms include pelvic infection in females and infection of the urethra in men. Can be cured! Gonorrhea can make a woman sterile if she is not treated properly. It can also result in arthritis.

Effect on baby:
Blindness, however all infants are treated routinely to prevent eye infection that can lead to blindness.

Syphilis
(Is passed across the placenta from mother to baby)

Signs & Symptoms:
First stage of the infection: sore in genital area, rash on hands and feet. However, neither partner may have these symptoms. Late complications to men and women; weakening and possible rupture of the blood vessels and mental disorders. Can be cured, if detected early!

Effect on baby:
Stillbirth, premature labour, skin rash, congenital syphilis, low birth weight, mental metardation and malformations.

Chlamydia

Signs & Symptoms:
Mucus discharge with pus, swelling and infection of cervix often preset with other STIs. There may not be any symptoms. Symptoms include pelvic infection in women and infection of the urethra in men. Can be cured!

Effect on baby:
Can cause eye infection in new-borns that can lead to blindness. Other possible effects include pneumonia and ear infections.

Hepatitis B
(it can be passed from mother to baby through the placenta)

Signs & Symptoms:
Neither partner may have any symptoms. If present there may be fever, abdominal pain, tea-coloured urine and jaundice (germ found in all body fluids, including urine, faeces and semen). Cannot be cured.

Effect on baby:
Hepatitis, jaundice and possible mental retardation. Can be treated with Hepatitis B vaccine.

Herpes
(It can be passed from mother to baby through the placenta)

Signs & Symptoms:
First stage: painful blisters on genitals with symptoms of fever, “bad feelings” and loss of appetite. May cause cancer of the cervix. Cannot be cured.

Effect on baby:
Can cause abortion and premature labour. Serious disability in baby, including mental retardation and even death.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
(It is passed from mother to baby through the placenta)

Human Papilloina Virus may cause cancer of the cervix.

Signs & Symptoms:

No symptoms may be present. Some persons can have warts on the genitals and surrounding area (look like small bunches of cauliflower). Cannot be cured.

Effects on baby:
Can become infected.

HIV/AIDS

HIV Signs & Symptoms:
Flu like symptoms: fever, sore throat and “bad feelings” that last a long time; there may be no symptoms.

AIDS Signs & Symptoms:
Extreme weight loss, diarrhea, skin rash, oral thrush, and other diseases.
There is no cure for the disease, but it can be managed.

Effect on baby:
Abortion, prematurity, Intra-uterine-growth-retardation and possibly death.

To avoid STIs:

1. The smaller the number of sex partners you have, the lower your risk of “catching” an STI.
2. Having a sex partner who shows signs/symptoms of STIs, such as genital blisters or warts, increases the risk of “catching” an STI.
3. Using a condom decreases the risk of “catching” STIs.

Summary

STIs are passed through sex. They affect mother, father and foetus. STIs can harm and kill the baby. However, most STIs can be cured or treated. Regularly examine your genitals for any warts, rash or discharge. Examine your partner’s as well. Go to your Community Health Clinic if you think you have an STI and follow their instructions carefully.

Abstinence is the only way to be 100% sure, however to avoid catching STIs you can also:

1. Use a condom.
2. Avoid many sex partners.
3. Do not have sex when you or your partner has an STI.

Vocabulary (in alphabetical order)

Abstinence:

• Not engaging in sexual intercourse (sex) for a period of time

Chancre:

• A sore

Genitals:

• Sex organs

Intra-uterine-growth-retardation:

• Slowed growth of the foetus

Labia:

• The lips of the vulva

Placenta:

• Afterbirth

Transplacental:

• The passing of substances from mother’s blood to the blood of the foetus by way of the placenta.

Transplacental Infection:

• Infection passed from mother to foetus via the placenta

Urethra

• The tube which carries urine from The bladder to the outside of the body

Vulva

• The outside female genitals