SRHR Education with LBQ Women

HIV is the most lethal sexually transmitted infection; therefore, a lack of access to basic Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) increases a person’s risk of contracting HIV. Lesbians, have long been ignored in HIV prevention and service programs, needs and deserve tailored interventions and better health outcomes. Beyond that, the examination of the HIV and health risks lesbians face is an examination of the intersection of sexual health, sexuality, identity and stigma in in healthcare sectors.Women Working with Women through Amplify Change conducted a session on SRHR Education with LBQT persons to sensitize them on HIV, Prevention, Mode of transmission and living with the virus as a discordant couple. HIV is (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) a virus that attacks the immune system (The immune system fights infections and diseases in the human body)How is HIV transmitted? HIV transmission is the spread of HIV from person to person.  HIV is spread only in certain body fluids from a person who has HIV. These body fluids include:

• • Blood- through infected blood transfusion

• • Semen- Having sex with an infected person without using protection(condoms)

• • Pre-seminal fluid

• • Vaginal fluids

• • Rectal fluids

• • Breast milk (mother to child breast milk)

How one can reduce their risk of getting HIV

Anyone can get HIV, but you can take steps to protect yourself from HIV infection.

• • Get tested and know your partner’s HIV status. Talk to your partner about HIV testing and get tested before you have sex.

• • Choose less risky sexual behaviors. HIV is mainly spread by having anal or vaginal sex without a condom or without taking medicines to prevent or treat HIV,always practice safe sex

• • Use condoms. Use a condom correctly every time you have sex.

• • Limit your number of sexual partners. The more partners you have, the more likely you are to have a partner with poorly controlled HIV or to have a partner with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Both of these factors can increase the risk of HIV transmission.

• • Get tested and treated for STDs. Insist that your partners get tested and treated, too. Having an STD can increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV or spreading it to others.

• • Don\’t inject drugs.But if you do, use only sterile drug injection equipment and water and never share your equipment with others.

Discordant coupes,Discordant couples are those where one partner is HIV-infected and the other is not, where a couple is defined as two persons in an ongoing sexual relationship and each of these persons is referred to as a “partner” in the relationship.N/B People living with HIV who are taking HIV medications and have a suppressed viral load (Who are undetectable) do not transmit HIV. People who are HIV-negative can prevent HIV infection with by using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)