Sexual health: South Africa has the highest HIV/Aids rates globally

Regrettably, a much-needed focus on sexual health in South Africa has been eclipsed by discourse on the Covid pandemic and renewed efforts are urgently needed to kick-start the process.

Failure to do so is likely to exacerbate current problems of contraction and transmission and lead to a new generation of affliction and debilitation – and the humanitarian, social and economic costs will be difficult to bear.

That the sexual health issue has dropped off the public agenda is understandable, given the global nature of the virus and the need to manage and contain it.

SA highest HIV/Aids rates globally

But this has meant other conversations around sexual health have been neglected. South Africa has one of the highest HIV/Aids rates in the world and there are valuable programmes and initiatives to increase access to sexual health education and HIV/Aids prevention and treatment, but there is still a need for more comprehensive, evidence-based sexual health education programmes and materials.

This is both a public and private sector responsibility. Presently, vulnerable populations are being left without access to both information and services and it’s important that a new multi- stakeholder call is made for increased vocality on sexual health governance to ensure that those marginalised are given the attention and support they need.

The importance of this issue at this juncture cannot be overstated and in order to reignite the conversation we must recognise and address the underlying issues that have led to the current situation.

The first is a lack of regular access to comprehensive sexual health education. In addition, there is a lack of general understanding and awareness which can lead to stigma and discrimination.

Thirdly, there is still a lack of an inclusive and safe space for conversations about the topic and this means creating an environment where people can openly talk about sexual health without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Finally, it is essential that we ensure we are supporting and advocating for those who are affected by sexual health issues and individuals and communities should be given adequate access to sexual health services, education, and resources.

Way forward

So, is there a plan? A call to action? Now that we are seemingly over the worst of the pandemic, we need better public awareness campaigns that focus on sexual health topics such as HIV/ Aids and sexually transmitted infections.

Social media efforts need to be amplified to spread accurate information about sexual health and to engage in discussion with young people.

More work needs to be done in lobbying for policies and laws that protect the rights of sexual minorities, as well as advocating for better access to sexual health resources and services.

It’s only by encouraging open and respectful conversations about sexuality in the family, community and workplace that any progress will be made.

A critical part of that process is to make sure that testing is instantly available and conducted seamlessly, with easy access to results.

This helps detect potential problems early, which can lead to better outcomes and quicker treatments. Early detection also helps reduce the risk of transmission and ensures people are getting the appropriate treatments for any infections they may have.

Testing also helps reduce the stigma around sexual health issues and helps people feel more comfortable talking about them. In today’s fast-moving and advanced medical-technology environment, early detection is assisted by rapid testing, which can lead to better outcomes and fewer deaths.

Gone are the times of days or even hours waiting for results. The timeframe has now been telescoped into as little as 60 seconds, allowing for a greater sense of relief and enabling quicker intervention.

Tests and diagnosis

Aside from its application for sexually transmitted diseases, rapid testing can also help detect and diagnose other conditions, allowing for the implementation of effective containment measures. By providing faster diagnoses, diseases can be treated sooner and more effectively and this radically helps reduce negative consequences such as disability, suffering, and death.

Rapid testing can also help to reduce healthcare costs by detecting diseases earlier and avoiding the need for more expensive treatments.

There is no doubt that conversations around sexual health no longer carry the same sense of shame and stigma they once did and we are seeing people of all ages, genders and backgrounds engaging in open discussion.

We’re also seeing modern approaches to sexual health that recognise the need for comprehensive, accurate information and education, including discussions about contraception, reproductive health, and sexually transmitted infections.

The way we talk about sexual health has changed for the better and in doing so, we’re creating a space for better understanding, more informed decision-making, and improved sexual health outcomes in our society. It’s now up to all of us to be part of that dialogue.

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– Croukamp is chief operating officer at bioLytical, which provides rapid home testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections