A new study confirmed what Lesotho’s health sector had long suspected - that the driving force behind the spread of HIV in the small landlocked country is multiple concurrent partners (MCP), reports the Swazi Observer.
But how do we help sexually active men and women to actually change their behaviour to avoid risk of contagion? A new awareness campaign commenced last week to encourage people to talk about what they already know and put knowledge into action.
“The levels of awareness about AIDS have been well established, with 70% of men and 78% of women identifying condom use as a means of preventing HIV infection and 76% of men and 82% of women indicating limiting sex to one partner as a means of protection. However, the levels of adequate practical knowledge, skills and translating the knowledge into practice are still a challenge,” reports Multiple Concurrent Partners, Sex and HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, one of two studies on the subject whose findings are part of a “National Behaviour Change Communication Strategy Through 2013″ began this past week.
