Lesson 9

Lesson 9: Protect Yourself: STIs and HIV/AIDS

Objectives

Introduction

This lesson is all about risk and choice. Sex can and should be a wonderful part of life, but it is not without risks. The aim of this lesson is to help pupils be aware of the real and present dangers of unsafe sex because of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. The lesson starts with a presentation explaining the risks involved in unsafe sex and how to deal with them, abstinence as the safest method to prevent STIs and HIV/AIDS. However, given the large percentage of young people who are sexually active, the advantages of correct and consistent use of condoms are also explained.

After the presentation: Pupils can play the Safe Sex Quiz to test their knowledge. Other activities in the lesson are a discussion about STIs and HIV/AIDS and role plays to practice requisite negotiation skills. This is how you can introduce this lesson to the pupils: ‘Sex is a fact of life! Sooner or later, we will all be confronted with the fact that adults and, to a certain degree, adolescents have sex. This lesson aims to help you get the right information on sex, risks, dangers and choices. Today we are going to stand up for our choices. If you decide to have sex, whenever that might be, you need to know what the risks are and how to avoid them. Maybe you think you already know about this, but it is always a good idea to repeat an important message, to read and hear it again. In the presentation, you will be informed about risks and STIs; you will get instruction on how to use condoms.

Then we will be dealing with decision-making: At the end of the presentation, you will be quizzed on your knowledge and opinions. And you will practice negotiating safe sex. This lesson is all about risks, but, above all, it is about your choices.’