Bushbuckridge - The Bushbuckridge local municipality in Mpumalanga kicked off a Condom Week campaign on Wednesday in an effort to reduce new HIV infections in the area.
The campaign, hosted in association with the Mpumalanga Department of Health and Social Development, started at the Acornhoek shopping complex on Wednesday and will move to Bushbuckridge Twin City on Thursday and the Mkhuhlu shopping plaza on Friday.
"The control and management of sexually transmitted diseases is a key intervention in the fight against HIV and Aids and is one of the new strategies used in efforts to reduce new HIV infections," said municipal spokesman Matome Malatji.
Provincial health spokesman Mpho Gabashane said about 3 000 male condoms and 1 500 female condoms would be distributed as part of the campaign.
"Correct and consistent usage of condoms helps reduce the risk of acquiring STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and pubic lice and also prevents unwanted pregnancies," he said.
He said graphic images of STIs would also be used during educational talks. "Symptoms of STIs include genital discharge, pain when urinating, genital swelling and inflammation, but others don't show symptoms at all. People are therefore advised to have regular sexual health check ups to screen for infections," Gabashane said.
"Voluntary HIV testing will also be conducted during the campaign," he said.
