No glove, no love. Wrap it up!

The findings of the 2019 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidents, Behaviour and Communication Survey were released earlier this year by the Human Science Research Council (HSRC).

The study found that there was a decline in condom use in South Africa, especially in the age group of between 15 and 24.

According to the director of HIV/STI and TB at the HSRC, Dr Mpumi Zungu, “there is a peak in the age group of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV prevalence.”

In a country where 7.2 million people live with HIV, and 600 are infected each day, the findings are chilling.

One of the reasons Zungu cited for the decline of condom use is the fact that when in relationships, couples stop using condoms and assume their partner to be faithful.

While trust in a relationship is good, you can never fully know what your partner does in your absence, and using a condom should not be offensive or cause doubt.

Another reason Zungu gave is power dynamics in relationships which are especially observed when one partner is older or has more money and insists on not using a condom.

When you find yourself in that situation, always remember that your body belongs to you – and you have a right to say no to unprotected sex.

If your partner says, “If you love me, you will have unprotected sex with me”, remind them that that if they love you, they will protect you.

Apart from HIV, there are a plethora of sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes simplex, hepatitis B and gonorrhea – some of which are incurable – which unprotected sex exposes you to.

The government distributes millions of free male and female condoms every year, leaving no excuse for making the decisions to have unprotected sex, and expose yourself to unwanted pregnancy, HIV and other STIs.

HIV activist and author Lebogang Mostumi tweets, “would you rather have two seconds of passion change your life forever?”

In addition to using condoms, get tested for HIV every three months, consider getting on pre-exposure prophylaxis which is a pill taken every day by HIV negative people and provides between 92 percent and 99 percent prevention and reduction in HIV risk for HIV-negative individuals.

The pill is available at healthcare centres but as effective as it is, it is not 100 percent effective and should be used in conjunction with condoms.

Whatever the situation, you have the right to insist on a condom to protect your health.

No glove, no love.