Status Update Edition 14

AN HIV/AIDS UNIT INITIATIVE

JUNE 2017 | EDITION 14

UPCOMING EVENTS HEAIDS Conference in Durban 9th – 11th June 2017

First Things First Campaign July – August 2017

Young Women Leaders HIV & AIDS Conference 2-3 September 2017

HIV Curriculum Integration takes off

BY MELANIE MARAIS

CPUT launched three books, How2bAidsAware, Guide4life and Roadmap To Your Social, Mental and Physical Wellbeing.

HIV was successfully integrated within the curriculum of two courses, Office Management Technology and Information Technology Management.

The main objective of the project was to develop capacity in academics to enable them to integrate HIV/AIDS within an existing credit-bearing subject.

Our peer educators showcased

a monologue demonstrating what many students go through and why curriculum integration and programs like the HIV Unit, Student Counselling, Disability Unit and Student Health Services are important. Topics include issues of first year experience; good citizenship; healthy living, sexual diversity, branding yourself and how to prepare for an interview!

We wish to acknowledge the Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Skills Fund for making funds available for this project through Higher Education Aids.

This is what one of our academics who attended the book launch said:

“I thought the book launch was about books. How wrong was I! It was about a team of dedicated individuals, students and staff alike, committed to improving our humanitarian response to HIV risk among young people: actions by which we will be judged in the future”

ST TUS UPDATE

2 EDITION 14

Life is all about growth Any student’s journey does not come without challenges. It is like climbing a mountain to get to the top.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF UNIT Melanie Marais It is always rewarding seeing how students who sought for our support, eventually graduate and go back home to make a difference in the lives of their families and communities.

Andy Rooney says: ‘Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it’. Life is about growth, shaping and forming us for greater things to come. Some of those sometimes include hunger, being overwhelmed with the amount of work, loneliness, depression etc.

Do you sometimes experience loneliness, feel overwhelmed or any other difficult challenge? Always remember your institution is there for you and there are support services like the HIV/AIDS Unit, Student Counseling, Disability Unit and Fundani Centre to provide you the support that you need to make a

success of this year.

Student life is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have and it comes with a huge amount of responsibility. Choose the route with positive rewards for your future. Stay focused this year and although there will be many opportunities to have fun, always remember your reasons for being a student. Your ultimate reward is the day you proudly wear that graduation gown and receive the fruits of your hard work.

I want to encourage you to make contact with us or any other student support services at your campus when you need us.

I wish you the very best for your 2017 academic year.

2017 OPEN DAY

BY BONGIWE MBEKI - PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN On Saturday the 6th of May, the HIV/Aids Unit Peer Educators welcomed prospective CPUT students to our exhibition stall at the annual Open Day. The Open Day is an event where CPUT opens their doors to senior learners at high school and all prospective students to engage

and interact with faculties and departments of their study interest.

All student support service units and departments were present and they guaranteed all prospective students that CPUT is place of holistic growth and development. As always, our exhibition stall attracted hundreds of students who showed a lot of interest in what the HIV/Aids Unit

#WeAreCPUT

can offer students.

The HIV/AIDS Unit did their part by educating the crowd on how to reduce their risks of contracting the HI-Virus and STI’s as well possible ways and means they can prevent themselves form contracting it. This year, again, our key message was: “Make Wise Choices”.

ST TUS UPDATE

3 June 2017

CPUT LAUNCHES STUDENT GUIDE Roadmap To Your Social, Mental and Physical Wellbeing EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR YOUR NEXT HIV ASSIGNMENT Through a project funded by DHET NSF via HEAIDS, two departments, Office Management Technology and Information Technology Management were able to participate in the integration of HIV within the curriculum.

The HIV Unit in collaboration with Student Counselling and the Nursing Department developed a first of its kind booklet/ student guide, launched as Roadmap to your Social, Mental and Physical Wellbeing. Along with the Tabeisa textbook How2BAidsAware and Guide4Life, they were launched on 24 April 2017.

Ms Elvira Lottering (Bellville Campus Librarian) & Melanie Marais

Ms Melanie Marais, Prof Bennet Alexander, Mrs Cora Njoli- Motale (Dean of Student Affairs), Mr Louis Van Niekerk (TVET principal), Prof Anthony Staak (DVC Teaching & Learning), Ms Belinda Berman and Ms Managa Pillay (HEAIDS)

Bongiwe Mbeki (PR Intern) Ms Managa Pillay (HEAIDS), Melanie Marais and Rene Williams

Ms Elvira Lottering & Mr Naythan Kayser

Mr Mustafa Zalgaonker (Academic)

Ms Melanie Marais (HOU)

Peer Educators with Mr Naythan Kayser (Peer education officer)

ST TUS UPDATE

4 EDITION 14

BOOK LAUNCH

REVIEW

BY THOKGAMO DINEO - DINTLE MARETELA

Being part of such a wonderful event and learning about how the book was compiled and what inspired the idea was amazing. Being a part of the process, however was breath-taking, what captured me the most was the passion in all the individual’s voices and how they desperately wanted to bring about change in our communities.

The book is really about and for the students, it teaches them about the influence of friends and the different ‘relationships’ and how they affect them in their different communities. Various topics were discussed namely; Blesser relationships, and human trafficking, these two

issues have hit our communities by storm, influencing young students to give in and lose themselves due to coming from under privileged homes (backgrounds).

A beautiful skit was performed by the peer educators, showing the different personalities and backgrounds which people come from, different worlds as I love to say it. Everyone learned that everything has a route, no one just wakes up and decides to do something, and multiple thoughts draw such conclusions. The highlight was how every student fresh from matric thought that they are ‘free’ from the bondages which their parents had them in which is honestly common amongst all of us.

Some students feel the pressure and fear of not returning home with that degree, because of what ‘Koko’ has told them before they left home, many of us leave home unequipped with the correct knowledge of how to survive in university without being pregnant or ill.

The book generally prepares you (the student) for university, it gives a fresh new perspective and outlook on life. It proves that a book can be popular without the traditional media or methods most authors use to promote their books.

NEWLY SELECTED PEER EDUCATORS ARE READY FOR ACTION!

BY NAYTHAN KAYSER

Peer Educators represent Cape Town, Bellville, Mowbray, Athlone and Wellington campuses A brand new energetic and enthusiastic group of Peer Educators has started their journey within the HIV/Aids Unit in February.

After a rigorous selection process 71 new peer educators were selected to represent Cape Town, Bellville, Mowbray, Athlone and

Wellington campuses. They received an intense 4 day training from the 6 – 9 February 2017 that covered various topics including: basic HIV knowledge, communication skills, conflict resolution, personal development, gender value clarification and this all ended with a yearly planning session where all of them planned their activities

per campus. Since their training this group of vibrant young people has been taking their campuses by storm by hosting various events, discussions and awareness events.

Feel free to approach a peer educator on your campus to discuss condom use, HIV testing and general sexual risk taking behaviours and prevention strategies.

ST TUS UPDATE

5 June 2017

Hello Fresher’s... 2017 first year orientation sessions!

BY ANGELA LEBONA Adapting to life at university it’s not easy.

University can be a very challenging environment especially for someone fresh out of high school, speak to anyone who has been at a tertiary institution and they will tell you that once you arrive on campus you realise that the environment is completely different from the one you are used to. There is shift from having everything you need handed to you, to taking responsibility for everything.

The trick is to stop dragging your feet expecting things to become easier, you have to adapt quickly or you will feel like everything is literally swallowing you alive.

One of the many challenges that you will never be fully prepared for is independence, if you have come to varsity and you won’t be staying with your parents or any family member, you have complete freedom. It is not as wonderful as you think it will be, sure, you won’t have your parents nagging you to do chores or giving you a curfew but you will actually

miss all the nagging. You will first realise this when you realise that you have spent a month’s allowance in a week and you haven’t really bought groceries. You’ll wish you had that curfew when you over sleep and miss class after a night out, mostly you will miss having a support structure.

Being alone is not as glamorous as you think. You were taught about peer pressure in Life Orientation and it drove you crazy repeating the topic each year throughout high school but little did you know that your teachers were right. No matter how strong willed you may be, you will fall prey to some form of peer pressure somewhere during your first year. You won’t realise it at first, it may happen while you are trying to make friends and you end up trying to fit in with the wrong crowd or your seniors telling

you that attending classes during the first week of the semester is “wack”.

The truth is there is no way to avoid the pressures that come with varsity, you have to endure whatever is thrown at you while trying not to lose yourself. Many students have a first year story, some more graphic than others but everything you go through during your first year is meant to build your character. Unfortunately, some people never make it through this year and crumble under the pressures.

I am in my second year of my studies and I still haven’t figured it out yet, there are so many things I wish I had done differently during my first year but I’ve come to realise that if it wasn’t for all the mistakes I made then I wouldn’t know right from wrong now.

Here are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started first year: • Don’t be intimidated by varsity.

• Attend all your classes, no one will spoon feed you.

• The only way to succeed is to work hard.

• Think of yourself first at all times, no one else is putting you first.

• One slip up doesn’t make you a failure, get up and keep pushing

HIV/AIDS Unit opens doors to Stellenbosch University International Students

BY NAYTHAN KAYSER

Stellenbosch University Equality Unit has introduced an HIV/Aids Course to international students that are currently registered at Stellenbosch University.

As part of the course these students have to visit a community partner for a few weeks and implement a project or communication product for the organisation.

The HIV/Aids Unit at CPUT welcomed these students and hosted them every 2nd week for 3 months. On the 4th of May the student’s project came to realisation at the Bellville campus.

They focused their project on

debunking myths regarding condom-use, the LGBTI community and HIV in general. On the day the students interacted with the CPUT community by having games, hand-outs and doing demonstrations.

ST TUS UPDATE

6 EDITION 14

The Peer Education experience has been profoundly awakening and rewarding

BY KUHLE I have had quite a lot of interesting encounters with students on campus in the work that I do. I must say though… the ones I have had recently have been quite interesting.

I have had students say to me that we are promoting sex by distributing condoms, some are convinced that the HIV can be passed on from one person to the next through skin contact via skin pores and that there is no need to use a condom with your partner if both of you happen to be HIV positive. Recently I witnessed a student in leadership expressing such strong views of how he despises the concept of ARV

therapy. Apparently it is for people with AIDS not HIV (according to his narrative) that should be on ARV therapy. Students come to us peer educators with a lot of uncertainties and misconceptions related STIs, HIV/AIDS and anything within those parameters and we engage them so that we find common ground. I had a wonderful opportunity to be given a platform to sit around a table and facilitate an honest conversation about sex, relationships, substance abuse and STIs including HIV/AIDS. That conversation was beyond fruitful in the sense that each and every one of us walked out of that room with a hand full of life changing information.

The Peer Education experience has been profoundly awakening and rewarding to me in the sense that I got to unlearn a lot of misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and STIs in general. I acquired the correct information which I am now happy to pass on to my peers, everyone in and outside campus.

5 TIPS on how NOT to fall prey to RAPE CULTURE

BY TONI ERASMUS In 2015/2016 a total of 42 596 rape and attempted rape cases were reported and it is saddening that a large amount of these victims are females.

With the increase of reported rape cases on university campuses, ‘Rape Culture’ is becoming more evident within universities in our country.

Rape Culture is when sexual violence is considered to be the norm, when female students at universities are told to invest in pepper spray and other protective products, but do not teach male students about respect and consent. It’s a culture that decides by the length of a woman’s skirt how truthful her sexual claims truly are.

Rape Culture encourages women to keep their sexual assaults to themselves for the fear of losing family members or ruining their reputation. It is a culture that teaches men who are raped by females to be thankful for their experience. It is a culture that silences men and

excludes men to come forward about their rape cases. In society, men who have fallen victim to rape or sexual violence are regarded as weak. Rape Culture also teaches men that pestering is a favourable way of approaching women, even when they are merely just walking down the street. This too is a form of harassment and women have to repeatedly say NO because men are taught that NO secretly means YES. Rape has a long lasting effect and

affects victims differently. Each victim has their own way of dealing with the stressors and the traumas as a result of this progressing culture. Therefore it is important to understand that Rape Culture is real and that everyone, particularly female students are easy targets.

Say NO to Rap Say NOe !

How can you, as a student protect yourself?

1. Scope out your campus- whether you are walking home from the library or a party, it is important that you are always aware of your surroundings; you should learn to find the safest and fastest way back home.

2. Always trust your instincts- if you feel unsafe or even just uncomfortable go with your gut and MAKE AN EXIT! 3. Use your cell phone as a safety/communication tool- in sketchy situations you can easily text a guardian or friend about your whereabouts.

4. Be low-key online- think twice before leaving status and location updates on social media such as Facebook, which are easily accessible to the public.

5. Do not let your guard down- it is dangerous to assume that people you have just met can immediately be trusted.

ST TUS UPDATE

7 June 2017

Is this a war on women & children?

BY BRYANAH MARAIS (BA LANGUAGE & CULTURE GRADUATE SU)

Something has to be done and it starts with men We walk with tasers and pepper spray in our bags, hold our house keys in between our fingers when walking alone, make sure our friends send us a “I’m home safe” message once they’re out of our sight, but what happens when the perpetrators of these violent acts are the men we trust?

The men killing us range from the stranger on a street, your neighbour down the road to your partner and family members. From an early age we are reminded to be careful, to cover ourselves up, and to stay vigilant; I don’t remember a time I haven’t looked over my shoulder to get a clear look at the face of the man trailing a few steps behind me.

Over the past week or two many women and children have been pushed into a state of panic, fearing

Karabo Mokoena

for not only their lives but their family members too, waiting to see your sister coming from school, cousin or friend’s name in a trending hashtag with “she was found but unfortunately not alive” captioned.

3 year old Courtney Pieters was found dead. Her murderer? A boarder in her family home, who subsequently participated in her search party until stumbling upon her body.

Karabo Mokoena her murderer? Is her boyfriend who also helped in the search party.

14 month old Lindokuhle Kota. Her murderer? Her father who raped and brutally killed her. To think these examples are JUST a drop in the ocean. None of these men were strangers to these girls however women are being told to stay vigilant

Courtney Pieters

and out of the streets from so called “strangers”. Even after these three violent killings, more and more similar cases hit the media.

This could easily be seen as war on women and children. The problem is not that we don’t do enough to protect ourselves. Something has to be done and it starts with men.

When little girls and women are all being targeted, all men need to take a stand and become accountable for the actions of men in society. Men need to talk amongst themselves and about their perceptions about gender, and about the way they speak about women and about the issue of rape culture. Boys need to be taught at a very young age about how they should respond to women and our value in society. Only then, can we truly say we are on the path of winning this war on women and children.

Lindokuhle Kota

Image source: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2017/05/15/watch-karabo-mokoena-s-body-was-found-in-this-dumping-site Image source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2017/05/08/Counselling-provided-to-family-of-missing-three-year-old Image source: http://www.dailysun.co.za/News/National/family-bids-farewell-to-lindokuhle-20170517

ST TUS UPDATE

8 EDITION 14

SEXUAL HARRESMENT AND BLESSERS

BY MMAPULE MOKWENA AND NAMHLA MATWA Varsity life can be a hustle to everyone especially to ladies living at residence hence they are believed to be vulnerable.

“As students we have more needs and ammunition of appearance where we want to impress our friends and fit in with the most popular crowd and the bar lounge next door has its own temptations” said the student from Viljoenhof Residence who did not want to be mentioned.

Referring to the discussion group we held at Viljoenhof residence we have seen more ladies highlighting the fact that the only reason that they opt for blessers is because they want to fit in amongst popular crowd and other say their families do not have enough money to last them a month.

Females that are called “blessees” believe that getting “blessers” is

the best solution since they don’t even have to worry their parents by asking for money. The public identified this trend as promoting prostitution as there is no love. The notorious blessee Amanda Cele on Third Degree said to herself that “love has to wait I need money”, this proves that people get involve in these blesse- blesser relationship to get money.

How do we get to end this trend?

Who is to be blamed that young women had turned into Blessees?

Is the government? Parents? Or the society? As it has been proven that it plays a major role in many social issues. These relationships open us up to exploitation and different forms of sexual and gender-based violence including the risk of being raped.

REPORT sexua harassm l e to put annt end to it!

advised students who think being a blessee is a solution because of financial difficulties, that the doors are always open when they need to seek help. There are organisations within the university such as the SRC and Student Counseling who can help, rather than putting their lives in danger, as there are risks of contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, STIs and unplanned pregnancies. They need to exercise patience, try and find a part-time job and work hard at their studies.

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology HIV/AIDS Unit peer educators at Mowbray Campus,

Practicing Responsible Love

BY JAYE-DEE JANSEN Roses are red, violets are blue.

We care about your status and so should you!

In February the official month of Love… we as the HIV/AIDS Unit peer educators, hosted a Valentine’s Day event in order to raise awareness of the pandemic amongst couples. Our table included an information desk, handing out pamphlets consisting of important information with regards to practicing safe sex and we also had condom demonstrations.

Entertainment for the day included a quizz, which required participants to pop a balloon and answer a question inside regarding HIV. The blind-fold game was about finding a rubber band in a box consisting

of condoms… blindfolded. The last part of the day was putting couples’ knowledge about each other to the test; various scenarios were read out and each of the members had to reply with “Hot” or “Not” The core purpose of the day was to inform students more about HIV and also to see how peer educators could broaden the knowledge of those who seem to be less informed about the virus. As students it is ones’ duty to know about the dangers of unprotected sex and preventing HIV, as such the HIV/ AIDS Unit is here to help each and every student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology with practicing responsible sexual behaviour.

Cape Town Campus Valentine’s Day

Bellville Campus Valentine’s Day

Mowbray Campus Valentine’s Day

ST TUS UPDATE

9 June 2017

Break myths about HIV/AIDS and other sex related issues within the society BY STHA MKHWANAZI As many have argued, HIV/AIDS is more than just a disease but it’s also a social phenomenon and in order to expand the understanding of it beyond its biomedical bounds, initiatives like group discussions need to be put in place in order to bring clarity as well as break myths about HIV/AIDS and other sex related issues within the society.

We saw it as an opportunity to get more insight of how much students know about HIV/AIDS and other sexual and gender related matters and need not say how interesting some of the things they had to say.

The turnout and feedback we received was beyond our expectations, the engagement of the students during the course of

WELLINGTON MOVIE NIGHT Wellington Peer Educators generate discussion through a movie night.

The movie Mr Church, was about women empowerment.

the discussion proved that they were genuinely and fully heartedly taking part which did a lot with confidence and self-esteem level because at first we were really scared of standing in front and engaging with students.

The students were really impressed at the technique that we used to engage with them which was in form of a game as well as being separated into two teams of girls and guys. We got comments like “we thought it was going to be one of those boring talks but the games and being put into groups and letting us do most of the talking really kept it alive”, “The way students engaged made so much easier to discuss such issues and the fact that it was our peers that ran the program made it even more easier”.

First Years’ experience Welcome Ceremony at Bellville Campus

BY BONGIWE MBEKI (PR INTERN) The Cape Peninsula University of Technology hosted first year experience welcome ceremony at the Cape Town and Bellville Campuses.

The aim of the event was to welcome the new student to the Institution. Students were welcomed by the University leadership, Acting Vice Chancellor and the Dean of student Affairs.

ST TUS UPDATE

10 EDITION 14

ONCE A PEER EDUCATOR ALWAYS A PEER EDUCATOR!

“Celebrating the great achievements of our former Peer Educators” Shine Peer Educators shine as the HIV/AIDS Unit we are proud you. We applaud our former/Senior Peer Educator with all your hard work. Well done guys! Remember Once a Peer Educator always a Peer Educator!!!

Viwe Mashalaba B.Tech: Internal Auditing Kamva Landzela ND: Chemical Engineering

Lindokuhle Tunyiswa ND: Human Resources Management

Asavela Mangisa ND: Chemical Engineering

Lolwethu Luthuli ND: Accountancy

CONDOM USAGE IN CAMPUS AND RESIDENCE

BY XOLISANI BREAKFAST There is nothing enjoyable than condom distribution at our residences and as a result it helps one to engage many of the students we come across. It helps to reflect after distribution on whether students use these condoms or not.

using a condom at all because the matter of the fact is that they enjoy raw sex and these were just nothing but excuses. The bad stigma against choice condoms has always been a problem which till to date we still face in the communities that we live in.

Mostly in male units the condoms are not used unlike in female units and that led to an interest having to have a dialogue with some male students.

Their common answer was that they do not like to use choice condoms either choice condoms smell bad or it would make their girlfriends feel as if they are cheap of which that is a stereotypical mentality understanding very well that they are students they can’t always afford to buy condoms.

In terms of the bad smell differently this around it was flavored condoms which should give comfort and a pleasing smell in the room. These are some of the tricks most male students use to defend themselves from not

The government has in fact intervened in terms of condom by introducing the flavored choice condoms and if we still remember in parliament where the Deputy President was presenting these flavored condoms and the wish that it will reduce unsafe sex amongst young people as the risk is high in young people. The intervention by institution as well through HIV/ AIDS Unit has been a great idea to fight against all these illness that affect students more especially the awareness campaigns that take place in different residences of which students fail to even attend for their own knowledge. The rate of teenage pregnancies in our residences speaks

volume to the fact that people do not take responsibility for their own bodies. At times when students come from pubs having had social lubricants they would come to residence and don’t finds condoms then they proceed anyway even if the person they have met that night it’s their first time to meet they would easily trust because alcohol has in many ways misled the society, they turn to forget that HIV & Aids/ STI’s/ unwanted pregnancy do exist especially if we do not desist from being careless. The new trend and perpetual exploitation of residence students by spicy mama’s and sugar daddies is something that exists and it’s very much worrisome.

They would come with all sorts of beautiful cars promising students a lavish life in a way of eradicating residence poverty that exist within poor students which to some extent are contributing to all the ills that are happening to student’s health. Protect yourself use a condom!!!

ST TUS UPDATE

11 June 2017

IS SEX ALWAYS FUN?

BY ATHI MPHELA & NOKONWABA WANANA

This is a question that we all want to know, sometimes you might think you`re the only one stuck in that paradox. Thus, on 16 May we took this big question to a much larger group of NMJ residence students.

Is it always fun for both parties?

Looking at the question, we tried to come at it from both aspects, according to us stats has shown and proven that majority of the young males think that they don’t become pregnant and that they are technically only sperm donors. In this discussion we discovered that pregnancy is not about who carries the baby, but the

journey after conception. Whose risk and responsibility is it anyway?

What are the influences to getting pregnant? from the discussion there was an emphasize on words like Alcohol and Drugs… it’s said to be that most pregnancies occur due to these substance abuse. If one gets too intoxicated to a point that they can even get raped and not know who the father of the conceived baby is. One student raised a point of both parties being intoxicated and agreeing to sex but forgetting to use a condom as a measure of prevention of pregnancy.

Are condoms used just for the prevention of pregnancy?

Now here interesting stories were shared, but the main point was that the use of condoms is primarily to protect one from infection such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

What is most likely to be the use of condoms is against the Human Immune Virus (HIV). It is vital that we know it’s not only your partners’ responsibility to carry a condom but yours too.

REMEMBER YOUR HEALTH IS IN YOUR HANDS, SO STAY SAFE AND CONDOMISE!

ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful, Condomise) no longer enough to prevent HIV infection 1. Abstinence – This is the only guarantee that you won’t contract HIV or STIs, but there are other risks of contracting HIV and that is through needle prick injuries, being exposed to bodily fluids through assisting, for example, at accident scenes, through using drug users’ contaminated needles, etc. The use of gloves can prevent workrelated injuries like cleaning up someone’s bodily fluids. Discarding contaminated materials the correct way will prevent risk of exposure to bodily fluids or needle prick injuries.

2. Being faithful – Although this is not a guarantee, it is important to know your HIV status and be faithful to the same partner. Having multiple sexual partnerships is a huge risk for HIV and STI transmission.

3. Regular condom use during sex – Condoms act as a barrier against HIV infection. When used correctly and 100% of the time, condoms will prevent exposure to the HI-virus and protect you from contracting HIV or STIs. 4. HIV counselling and testing – Getting to know your HIV status is very important, because if you are tested HIV positive, you will be referred for further care and

antiretroviral treatment. If you test HIV negative and were exposed to someone’s bodily fluids less than three months ago, you will be asked to return for another HIV test within 3 months after your last exposure to that person’s bodily fluids.

5. Treatment of sexually transmitted infections and other vaginal inflammation not caused

by STIs. When the vagina or penis is infected with an STI or there is vaginal inflammation, the risk of lacerations is much higher, creating an entry point for the HI-virus. When an infection is treated, the risk is lower.

6. Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision – This is the full removal of the foreskin. When an HIV negative male is fully circumcised, his risk of contracting HIV is up to 60% lower. Other health benefits include lowered risk of certain STIs; and being circumcised is more hygienic and reduces his female partner’s risk of contracting cervical cancer.

7. Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) – This is antiretroviral treatment taken after a person was accidentally (or intentionally) exposed to another person’s bodily fluids, varying from semen

to vaginal fluids or blood. NB: This treatment must start within 48 to 72 hours after exposure.

8. Prevention of Mother to child transmission – This is also known as PMTCT and is a method used to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from a mother who is infected with HIV to an infant. HIV can be transmitted from a mother to an infant before, during, and after labour.

9. Pre-exposure prophylaxis – This is also known as PrEP and is an antiretroviral treatment that involves taking a pill every day and is used by people who are at risk of contracting HIV. The pill contains two drugs, tenofovir and emtricitabine, known as truvada.

10. Microbicide ring (Dapivirine) – This is a matrix ring (silicon) that is inserted inside the vagina. The ring consists of an antiretroviral drug referred to as Dapivirine that is slowly released in the vaginal area with the objective of preventing HIV transmission. Recent study findings have proven that the ring reduces a female partner’s risk of contracting HIV by up to 30%. The ring is not available as yet and still needs approval from the USA FDA and SA Medicine Control Council before it can be made available.

ST TUS UPDATE

12 EDITION 14

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS As the HIV/AIDS Unit, we are committed to ensuring that our readers know where to seek help when needing assistance with daily life challenges. Below is a list of important contact details.

CPUT HIV/AIDS UNIT Cape Town Bellville Wellington CPUT DISABILITY UNIT Bellville +27 21 959 6964

(SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG DEPEDENCE)

Cape Town +27 21 460 9071 disabilityunit@cput.ac.za

STUDENT COUNSELLING Cape Town +27 21 460 3237 oliveran@cput.ac.za

Bellville +27 21 959 6182

Melanie Marais maraisme@cput.ac.za

OR ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE HIV PEER EDUCATION PROGRAMME? Contact Naythan Kayser kaysern@cput.ac.za

RECEPTION: +27 21 460 4253 HEAD OF UNIT: +27 21 460 4252

www.cput.ac.za/hivaids

Lifeline SANCA

Bellville +27 21 959 6403 Location New Library Extension, Ground floor

Contact

0800 012 322 011 725 2001

+27 21 460 4252/3 +27 21 959 2868 +27 21 864 5268

CAMPUS CLINIC Cape Town +27 21 460 3405 Location Administration Building, Level 2, Room 2.900

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING AN HIV SUPPORT GROUP?

National AIDS Helpline

086 17 2622 Rape Crisis

021 447 1467 SADAG

(The South African Depression and Anxiety Group)

0800 567 567

YOUR HIV/AIDS UNIT We are here to ensure that students and staff members make informed decisions on their holistic health care and lifestyle. We are committed to providing a safe learning and working environment to protect you from becoming infected with HIV, STI & TB while studying at CPUT.

NAME

DESIGNATION

E-MAIL

Melanie Marais

HOU

MaraisMe@cput.ac.za

Rene Williams

Admin Assistant

Vanderwesthuizenr@cput.ac.za

Makhonza Boyce

Mobile Wellness Unit Driver

BoyceM@cput.ac.za

Naythan Kayser

Peer Education Officer

kayserN@cput.ac.za

Lusanda Mangele

Counsellor

mangelel@cput.ac.za

Ireen Malango

Counsellor

malangoi@cput.ac.za