21 Apr 2014

Sexually transmitted Illnesses (STIs) are a window to HIV/AIDS, and it is thus imperative that people are sensitised about them, says University of Botswana (UB) health and wellness coordinator.

Ms Bawani Mutshewa was speaking during a Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Exhibition at the university student centre recently. Ms Mutshewa said STIs tended to expose one to the dangers of HIV/AIDS and people needed to forearm themselves with preventative information about such diseases.

She said young people needed to access different types of information about STIs in general and HIV/AIDS in particular and that for them to make informed decisions in order to change their behavior patterns they had to know their status.

She further said given the sensitive nature of sexual activity, any such behavioral pursuit brings lifelong results, and as such the youth need to make positive and well informed choices.

Ms Mutshewa applauded the exhibition as a good opportunity for students to get relevant information, which they tended to shy away from sourcing at health facilities. The expo broke communication barriers, she added.

The expo also created awareness about services that are available at the University of Botswana, stated Ms Mutshewa

She said UB Health and Awareness Centre was a user-friendly facility, whose aim was promoting healthy lifestyles among students and staff and contributing to their measurable positive health outcomes.

The exhibition, which was meant to sensitise students about sexual transmitted infections, had different stakeholders showcasing their services and interacting with students.

The centre offers a variety of programmes which include; examination of body mass index, blood pressure, breast cancer, HIV voluntary counselling and testing, information resources centre, condom distribution and health workshops amongst others.

Speaking in an interview, UB students hailed the exhibition as a good move since it allowed them to interact with health professionals who provided them with necessary information on how to prevent and cure STIs.

They said their busy university lives do not allow them to seek this kind of information at health facilities; therefore the exhibition provided a good opportunity for them to get information.

Also, they said the exhibition environment was conducive for them as their attendance would not be stigmatised since the expo was meant for everyone, not only the sick, which was the case with clinics and hospitals. 

Among the stakeholders involved were the National AIDS Coordinating Agency, University of Botswana Clinic, Tebelopele, Wellness Centre, and District Health Management Team .

Students were further provided with free HIV testing as well as education on STIs,  prevention, and treatment. Ends