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Living in the cloud: Social media and the Aids epidemic

blog, Sexual Health

Living in the cloud: Social media and the Aids epidemic

2017-07-11

With smartphones and broadband becoming increasingly available and affordable across class and geographical divides, we now see the rural and urban poor occupying the same virtual space as the middle class and the rich. This social cloud, as I call it in the research report from which this article is derived, lowers barriers to communication, instant messaging, sharing of photos, videos and other forms of iconography but can also increase the risk of HIV infection.

Social media and reality TV aid the development of common trends and sub-cultures across class and space. As a result, what might previously have been regarded as middle class or urban trends are universalised across class and geography.

It is the largely Euro-American cultures and rituals of conspicuous consumption and narcissism that are universalised.

Through social media and reality television, young people follow the same trends and idolise the same celebrities, irrespective of where followers find themselves. Often, these trends are materialistic and staged.

The notion is that if one can virtually associate with trending personalities, you can also become talk-worthy – trending being a proxy for popularity in the social networks as measured by the number of likes, shares and followers.

In the digital realm, these subcultures of narcissism and conspicuous consumption replicate themselves a million times over because of the virtual dissolution of socio-cultural and spatial barriers.

Knowledge of and aspirations for global trends now transcend socio-historical barriers. For example, when celebrities post sexually suggestive or nude photos on social media, these quickly spread and are ‘liked’ and sometimes mimicked. The recent trending of #AmberRoseChallenge comes to mind. Young women and adolescent girls from villages in South Africa are sharing nudes this youth month inspired by American singer Amber Rose who posed naked to highlight her anti-women abuse cause. This matter in SA became of the excesses of patriarchy.

The following conclusions on the changing political economy of the Aids epidemic in the context of the spread and influence of social media and reality TV are based on the research I conducted since 2016 by scouring Facebook, Badoo, Twitter, Instagram, Tinder, WhatsApp, WeChart, YouTube, Snap Chart and Viber, and from attending blessers’ and mavuso parties in Gauteng.

  • Lowering the costs of dating:It has become cheaper to initiate and maintain multiple sexual relationships. As smartphone coverage continues to surge and data costs decline, boundaries are reduced and people can initiate sexual relations quicker and easier without much care for the status and health profiles of those they meet in the virtual space.
  • Increasing the casualisation of sex and speed dating: Sex can quickly be fixed anywhere, any time and in some instances without protection, negating any consciousness about or messaging on responsible sexual health. Studies have shown that casual sexual relations tend to spread the risk of HIV infections as protection tends to be a secondary consideration in these typically quick and random encounters.
  • Making it more convenient to maintain multiple concurrent sexual partners: With social media, people can have sexual partners anywhere, any time as instant messages reduce the distance. Again, research is clear on the risk of infections posed by multiple concurrent partnering. In fact, this accounts for the majority of causes of the spread of HIV. In the social media experiment I conducted, sexual offers were routinely made irrespective of whether I projected myself as in a committed relationship or as single. As most men say, “social media makes it convenient to juggle women”.
  • Reducing barriers to the sharing of pornography: It is a matter of public record that in South Africa, school authorities and security agencies have had to deal with complex cases of young people recording sexual activity – consensual or abusive – and sharing these on social media platforms. This is partly because pornography is normalised by its availability through social networks. Although one cannot give an accurate scientific number (I was unable to collate all the entries), in the half-dozen social media groups I actively used for the experiment, one in four posts were porn-related or suggestive of explicit unprotected sex. Sharing nudes increases vulnerability of abuse by older and richer men as well as syndicates.
  • Social media facilitates inter-generational mating: Social media is used by older men (and paedophiles) to lure vulnerable younger girls into sexual relations. The phenomenon of sugar daddies is well known in South Africa and its contribution to the Aids epidemic cannot be underestimated since most adolescent girls and young women are infected by older men.The popular meeting point for these relationships is now social media, not some village river in Nongoma or public square as was the case in decades past. Another extreme of this phenomenon is the emergence of mavuso stokvels (casual sex parties where strangers have casual sex in exchange for money) and blessers (casual sexual relationships with rich men in exchange for money, expensive gifts and holidays).At the receiving end of these viral subcultures are adolescent girls and young women who are often powerless and cannot negotiate safe sex. They risk being physically abused or bullied into unprotected sex.
  • Social media is used to promote trends like sex orgies and groupies:This is linked to the point made above re normalisation of pornography and mavuso stokvels. It is not unusual to hear and read newspaper stories about women having orgies and groupies with men who have the “resources” (money and power). For my part, I experimented a few times by organising threesomes with younger women I knew as well as with strangers met on social media.Although these never materialised, I never doubted the willingness of my liaisons to make it all right on the night. Again, in the social media groups I used to observe social trends, most young women and men expressed liberal views towards orgies, groupies and unprotected sex. Some unconsciously regarded these things as rites of passage to adulthood.

The main conclusion from my study is that social media unintentionally furthers the casualisation of sex, mating across disparate age groups, multiple concurrent sexual relationships and commodisation of women who can be “bought” by money and gifts.

In the final analysis, the agency of women notwithstanding, the reality is that this is a manifestation of patriarchy and persisting inequality in South Africa. Conspicuous consumption does not empower women. It opens them up for manipulation and abuse in an HIV hyper-endemic country.

The crass materialism that is flaunted in the social networks and reality TV shows like the local Footballers’ Wives and America’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians cultivates the notion that “beauty pays” more than hard work. Real beneficiaries of this political economy are macho mobile men with money with the propensity to objectify and abuse young women.

This is a public policy conundrum, the unintended consequences of opening wide the doors of culture and communication where Bongi from Nongoma arguable co-exists with Beyoncé from New York albeit in a precarious social media bubble which eventually bursts as Bongi is more likely to have a near encounter with HIV owing to her socio-economic status and prevalence of gender-based violence in her society. DM

Ngcaweni is editor of Sizonqoba: Outliving AIDS in Southern Africaavailable at the HSRC book store. He works in The Presidency and writes in his personal capacity.

I can’t rape my wife

blog, Sexual Health

I can’t rape my wife

GOVERNMENT officials, the church and lobby groups are at loggerheads over the ongoing Parliamentary committee review of the country’s Sexual Offences Act, particularly as it relates to the issue of marital rape. Human rights advocates have urged the committee to apply the established law governing rape to marital cases, while six major church groups have insisted that the current law is adequate, as in marriage there is presumed consent to sex by both parties.

The current marital rape provision stipulates specific circumstances under which rape can occur in marriage, such as if the couple is separated. The church groups have held that any adjustment to the law would interfere with the sanctity of marriage, sparking much debate on social media about whether the church was sanctioning abuse, and even more when married men took to the internet to support the church’s views.

“Yes, she can say no [to sex] and I can either accede to her request or not,” one Twitter user wrote, much to the chagrin of others. But interestingly, many women shared similar views, saying if a husband has sex with his wife even when she isn’t in the mood, it’s not rape, as he has the legal right to demand sex.

One woman said a wife shouldn’t even allow her husband to ask twice for sex, and if there is no logical reason for not wanting sex, the man has every right to divorce the woman and fight her in court for division of assets.

She further argued that she could never walk into a police station and report that her beloved husband had raped her, adding that some women are spiteful, wicked and wear a ring but are not “wives”.

But Reverend Karl Johnson, general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, has a different view. He believes that rape can occur in a marriage.

“Rape is a forceful sex act. Marriage is not a transaction between superior and inferior owner and tenant, neither is it bakra master ruling over slave, and any time you ready you get a piece,” Johnson said. “Now if you’re following Christian guidelines and principles of self-giving, putting others before yourself, then there’s no scope for rape or abuse. But understand that marriage is a human relationship, and sadly, human relationships may break down. As a result marital relationships may bear the trappings of abuse. In that case, yes, a man can rape his wife.”

He added that even if the relationship has not broken down, it is hypocritical to endorse any relationship where force and violence become a feature.

“Everyone has a right to say no, and if you say no, it’s no,” he said.

We asked a few married men and women to share their views on whether a wife is obligated to provide sex to her husband on demand, and whether it is rape if he has sex with her when she doesn’t want to.

 

Jermelia, 41, female taxi driver:

Yes, it’s rape without consent, marriage or not. The same goes for the wives who want it without consent.

 

Kirk, 44, health coach:

Sex is an understood part of being married. This rape argument is foolishness. It is wrong to mortgage one’s marriage on sex. When the woman wants sex she always gets it, so what happens if he wants it?

 

Julian, 43, trainer:

I can’t rape my wife. The Bible tells me she must run @#$!% on me and vice versa. Even if she’s resisting I would still take it. She must do her duty and I must do mine too when she wants it.

 

Alfred, 36, doctor:

Whose body is it? It’s her body. I didn’t sign a lease agreement.

 

Jordan, 39, doctor:

Wives are not obligated to provide sex to their husbands, and any man who has sex with a woman against her consent is a rapist.

 

Donovan, 50, accountant:

No, because they are joined as one. If she is resisting and I still take it I wouldn’t call it rape, though I can admit that we men can give our wives a break at times. That’s why sweethearts are important. To avoid rape with wifey, have a sweetheart who’s often more willing. Also, what if I’m tired and she forces me, is that rape? There are blurred lines.

 

Hugh, 45, policeman:

Wifey fi send on and she should not resist either. Send on!

 

Suzanne, 24, clerk:

Based on the definition of rape, any unwanted penetration should be classified as that. Personally, if I am not in the mood, I prefer my husband to respect that. If a man forces himself on his wife I believe it is rape.

 

Andre, 40, technician:

My wife is not obligated to provide sex on demand, and that’s the operative term — on demand. It should be agreed upon for want of a better term. Sometimes I guess if she’s tired she can just say, “You can go ahead.” She probably won’t be involved in it, but there’s some form of agreement there.

Developing nations to lose trillions of dollars due to child marriage by 2030–World Bank

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Developing nations to lose trillions of dollars due to child marriage by 2030–World Bank

2017-06-29

WASHINGTON-(MaraviPost)-The developing nations including Malawi, is projected to lose trillions of dollars by the year 2030 on account of child marriages, The Maravi Post has learnt.
This is in contrast to the end child marriage campaign being advocated by governments and civil societies.
In the World Bank and the International Center for Research for Women (ICRW) report titled, “Economic Impacts of Child Marriage,” released on Tuesday and made available to The Maravi Post, highlights the estimated benefits that would ensue if women had fewer children and later in life, and increase women’s expected earnings and household welfare.
According to the report, in the past 30 years, the prevalence of child marriage, or union before the age of 18, has decreased in many countries, but it still remains far too high.
The Bank discloses that in a set of 25 countries for which detailed analysis was conducted, at least one in three women marry before the age of 18; and one in five women have their first child before the age of 18.
Across the countries considered in the report, three in four early childbirths (children born to a mother younger than 18) are attributed to child marriages.
The report estimates that a girl marrying at 13 will have on average 26 percent more children over her lifetime than if she had married at 18 or later.
This means that ending child marriage would reduce the total fertility rates by 11 percent on average in those countries, leading to substantial reductions in population growth over time.
In Niger, for instance, the country with the highest prevalence of child marriage in the world, the population by 2030 could be five percent smaller, if child marriage and early childbirths, were eliminated.
The analysis suggests that by 2030, gains in annual welfare from lower population growth, could reach more than $500 billion annually.
In Uganda, the benefit from reduced fertility would be equivalent to $2.4 billion, while in Nepal this would be almost $1 billion.
The report confirms that keeping girls in school, is one of the best ways to avoid child marriage.
Each year of a secondary education, reduces the likelihood of marrying as a child before the age of 18 by five percentage points or more.
The World Bank’s Project Director and co-author of the report, Quentin Wodon, observes that child brides are often robbed of their rights to safety and security, to health and education, and to make their own life choices and decisions.
“Child marriage not only puts a stop to girls’ hopes and dreams. It also hampers efforts to end poverty and achieve economic growth and equity. Ending this practice is not only the morally right thing to do, but also the economically smart thing to do,” adds Wodon.
Echoing on the same, Suzanne Petroni, ICRW’s Project Director and co-author of the report, says that very day more than 41,000 girls marry before the age of 18.
She adds that poverty, gender inequality, poor access to quality education and to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, and a lack of decent employment opportunities, help perpetuate child marriages and early childbirths.
“Ending child marriage would also reduce rates of under-five mortality and delayed physical development due to lack of appropriate nutrition (stunting). Globally, the estimated benefits of lower under-five mortality and malnutrition, could reach more than $90 billion annually by 2030.
“Another important benefit from ending child marriages, would be an increase in women’s expected earnings in the labor market. Due in large part to the impact of child marriage on education, women who marry as children have, on average, earnings that are nine percent lower than if they had married later. In Nigeria, this equals to $7.6 billion annually in lost earnings and productivity,” said Petroni.
The Economic Impacts of Child Marriage project was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Global Partnership for Education.

International Andrology: Botox Clinical Trial Brings Hope to Sufferers of Erectile Dysfunction

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International Andrology: Botox Clinical Trial Brings Hope to Sufferers of Erectile Dysfunction

Doctors from Cairo University Medical School, in collaboration with International Andrology (IA), which is headquartered in London, are close to finding a treatment for erectile dysfunction that will restore the sex lives of millions of men.

This follows two small pilot studies undertaken earlier this year by IA and Cairo University with early findings published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Professor Hussein Ghanem from Cairo University and Mr. Amr Raheem, a leading specialist at International Andrology London confirmed exciting emerging results from the clinical trial:

· Nearly 50% of men who received a 50ml injection of Botox, (botulinum toxin type A, the active component of Botox) as opposed to a placebo recorded significant erectile satisfaction

· 25% were able to complete full penetrative sex

All men involved in the study were severe and end stage erectile dysfunction sufferers and had no ability to perform sexual intercourse. In such cases the only option currently available to them is a costly penile prosthesis (surgical silicone implant).

Mr. Amr Raheem, who is leading this ground-breaking research and recently presented early findings at two major international medical conferences in China and the US said: “Erectile Dysfunction affects half the male population at some point in their lives and causes misery for millions of men.

“It is believed that the smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow to a man’s penis from a Botox injection could help him to maintain an erection and may last for up to six months. This offers a lifeline to both men and their partners and avoids costly surgical procedures. We are optimistic about the full trial results and hope to be offering the treatment at International Andrology London in early 2018.”

Full results are available in September 2017.

International Andrology is a world leading organisation of highly qualified physicians and surgeons who have played major roles in the development and improvement of modern surgical techniques in the field of men’s sexual and reproductive health. It offers the most advanced treatments for male sexual dysfunction, sub-fertility, aesthetic and functional urogenital surgery successfully treating problems like erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease (extreme curvature of the penis) and premature ejaculation.

Erectile dysfunction affects half the male population at some point in their lives. Traditional treatment options include drugs, shockwave therapy and penis implants costing on average in excess of £15,000.

The time bomb: why we need to invest in the youth

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The time bomb: why we need to invest in the youth

After Ghana had its independence on 6th March, 1957, the focus of our first President was to make Ghana an industrialized nation in Africa, but this dream had a challenge to address. 

That was a matching human capital to support this vision. This was because our population by then was relatively small. At that stage we needed to expand our population to equate the industrial revolution. 

Well, that was a great time to be a Ghanaian, with a rapidly growing economy, increasing number of health facilities, schools and lots of job opportunities.

Sixty years down the line and the coin has changed. Africa’s population is now described as youthful, being made up of about 60% of the total population being below the age of 25. Ghana is of no exception. 

According to the 2010 population census, it is estimated that about 58.3 percent of the total population of Ghana is below the age of 25, and 38% of Ghana’s population is under age 15. 

What it means is that in history this is the largest ever number of people for this particular age group and still counting. 

According to McKinsey report titled “Africa at Work: Job creation and inclusive growth” it concluded that by 2035, Africa’s working population will be larger than that of any nation, including China or India. 

This phenomenon will bring along economic transformation that will boost the economies of Ghana and Africa as a whole. This is what experts describe as Demographic dividend.

One may ask, what is this Demographic dividend that has been at the centre of recent summits of African Heads of states all about? Demographic dividend simply refers to accelerated economic growth that begins with changes in the age structure of a country’s population. 

This is usually accompanied with low birth and mortality rates. What it means is that in the next 20 to 30 years this youthful population are going to be within the working population and be productive which will be translated to accelerated economic growth.

But interestingly, if this large young population is actually going to be productive for us to see that accelerated economic growth that we expect, then a lot more needs to be done to turn them into skilled working population. 

Investments into the health and education of this young generation should be a major priority of all stakeholders. While it is widely acknowledged that such a large youth population, if turned into a skilled working population, can bring huge benefits to economies, at the same time if left unsupported and without jobs, a frustrated youth could turn to violence, some report warns. So the question is, what are the structures our governments are putting in place to ensure we achieve this demographic dividend in the next 30 years?

Ghana came up with the national youth policy in 2010, which served as a guide to government and all other stakeholders to include the youth in all developmental processes in order to ensure that they are not left out. 

It also provided a conceptual framework that will see to it that adequate investments are made on their health which includes access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, education, skills development and growth. 

Well, all these steps are efforts that need to be recognized, yet these policies, in majority of times remain only as paper documents that are not adhered to. 

Many young people continuously face challenges accessing basic health services such family planning services, they are unable to access affordable and quality education, unable to have their skills developed, etc.

As a country with a large youthful population and also seeking to achieve demographic divided, we need to seriously invest in the youth through the provision of the needed environment and creation of opportunities that will ensure that young people grow to realize their full potential that will eventually translate into sustainable development. 

Additional investments in reproductive health and family planning among the youth are needed for fertility levels to continue to decline to ensure a decline in fertility and dependency levels.

Sex ‘can boost BRAIN power in older people as scientists discover fascinating new link’

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Sex ‘can boost BRAIN power in older people as scientists discover fascinating new link’

2017-06-22

The study, carried out by Coventry and Oxford Universities, found that over-50s who enjoyed regular romps showed improved cognitive functions.

It investigated the correlation between sex and brain function on 73 participants aged between 50 and 83.

The results found that those that had more sex tended to have better verbal fluency and ability to visually perceive objects and the spaces between them.

This included verbal fluency tests in which participants had a minute to name as many animals as possible, and then to say as many words beginning with F as they could.

They were then asked to take part in tests that determine their visual awareness, including copying a complex design and drawing a clock face from memory.

The stunning results revealed that those who fornicated more regularly were more fluent in speech and had better visual awareness.

The study expanded on previous research from February 2016, which found that older adults who were sexually active scored higher on cognitive tests than those that were not.

Dr Hayley Wright, from Coventry University’s Centre for Research in Psychology, Behaviour and Achievement, said: “We can only speculate whether this is driven by social or physical elements, but an area we would like to research further is the biological mechanisms that may influence this.

“Every time we do another piece of research we are getting a little bit closer to understanding why this association exists at all, what the underlying mechanisms are, and whether there is a ’cause and effect’ relationship between sexual activity and cognitive function in older people.

“People don’t like to think that older people have sex, but we need to challenge this conception at a societal level and look at what impact sexual activity can have on those aged 50 and over, beyond the known effects on sexual health and general wellbeing.”

Can Sending Shockwaves To Your Penis Boost Your Erection?

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Can Sending Shockwaves To Your Penis Boost Your Erection?

In 1998, erectile dysfunction (ED) sufferers received a game-changer: That’s when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra as the first oral pill to treat ED.

Viagra and other meds considered PDE5 inhibitors—which work by boosting blood flow to your penis—have become mainstays in ED treatment. In fact, 75 percent of men with ED who receive treatment are prescribed them, according to a Southern Illinois University School of Medicine study.

But they don’t work for all guys—and some men, like those who take meds like nitrates for heart issues can’t use Viagra in the first place. (Here are 6 mistakes you’re making with your ED drugs.)

That’s why scientists have been continually searching for other methods to treat erectile dysfunction. One that seems promising? Shockwave therapy.

In fact, a new study published in Sexual Medicine of 192 sexual health experts at the 18th Congress for the European Society for Sexual Medicine show that support for it is growing: Seventy-two percent of the experts surveyed believed that low-intensity shockwave therapy is effective for treating ED.

With shockwave therapy, clinicians apply a probe to the penis to send energy from acoustic waves to different parts of the penis, the International Society for Sexual Medicine explains. The hope is that this helps new blood vessels form, which would improve blood flow to the penis—vital to getting and maintaining an erection. Each session lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, and while you may feel some tingling, it usually doesn’t hurt. (For everything you need to keep your penis healthy for life, check out The Men’s Health Guide to Erectile Dysfunction.)

Shockwave therapy is still considered experimental, and while it’s approved in other countries, devices are still under review from the FDA here.

As the Sexual Medicine study pointed out, more randomized trials on the treatment are necessary. While studies have shown that it appears to be safe, randomized trials on its effectiveness have been conflicting—some showing little improvement that may not make much of a clinical difference.

In the meantime, if you are having problems with your erections, your tried-and-true options are oral meds like Viagra or Cialis, or injectable drugs like alprostadil. These 15 foods can help your penis perform better, too.

Taking charge of men’s health at middle age

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Taking charge of men’s health at middle age

2017-06-13

Men have achieved great accomplishments, like walking on the moon, inventing electricity and creating rock ‘n’ roll. But when it comes to staying on top of their health, their efforts lessen.

In fact, many men, especially at middle age, are unaware that simple screening tests and lifestyle changes can influence long-term health.

An annual well exam or physical provides a chance to discuss any health concerns or changes in family medical history.

Dr. Vincent Cantone, internist with Meritus Pediatric and Adult Medicine-North Hagerstown, gathers a lot of information just by watching and talking to his patients.

During a well exam, patients can expect a candid conversation about diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, and screenings. As men start to grapple with declining testosterone levels, sexual health and depression are common topics, as well.

In addition to confidential chat, a routine medical exam with Cantone might include:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol screening. The frequency of the screenings is based on the patient’s age and medical history.

• Screening for diabetes depends upon the patient’s age, family medical history and weight.

• Colorectal cancer screening should start at age 50 or sooner for patients with a father, mother, brother or sister with a history of colorectal cancer. Cantone emphasizes that screening for colon cancer can prevent cancer.

Prostate screening warrants a discussion between physician and patient; however, the screening for men at average risk remains debatable.

• Heart-disease prevention includes a discussion about diet, exercise, family history and any signs of chest pain.

• Diet. Men are prone to weight gain around the midsection, so Cantone encourages his patients to eat less processed foods, less simple carbohydrates, and consume lean protein and leafy green vegetables.

• Exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need two hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise weekly and two or more days a week of strength training. To lose weight, Cantone recommends one hour of exercise five days a week.

• Updates on vaccines include the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine for pertussis, or whooping cough. Men 60 and older might need a shingles vaccine.

If you’re a man older than 40 and haven’t seen a physician in more than a year, it’s time to schedule a well visit with a doctor. Despite vices and fears of the unknown, well exams can get you thinking about preventing health problems, not treating them.

Why Sexting Can Make Your Sex Life Even Hotter

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Why Sexting Can Make Your Sex Life Even Hotter

Sending nudes might lead to better sex: 61 percent of people who send daily sexts report feeling very satisfied with their sex life, according to a new survey of 2,000 men and women from DrEd.com, a health and sexual wellness site based in the UK.

But you don’t need to exchange sexy pics daily to reap the benefits. Of the people who reported sending sexts weekly, 42 percent reported feeling happy with their sex life—and even 33 percent of people who sent a sext just a few times a month were happiest between the sheets, too.

The link? You don’t need to be in bed to turn her on. Anything you do that builds arousal (yes, even consensual sexting between two adults) counts as foreplay, which plays a big role in making sex feel better for her—which in turn, makes sex better for you.

“For some people, sexting conjures up images of a shamed Anthony Weiner, but for many others it conjures up an intoxicating mix of hormones that stimulate their sex drive and adds to the intensity of their sexual encounters,” says marriage and family therapist Paul Hokemeyer, Ph.D.

“This is because our largest sex organ is our brain. By taking and sharing the most intimate parts of our bodies with our mate, we heighten our awareness of what we have to offer—and what there is to receive,” he adds.“ It’s an incredibly sensual process that focuses our minds to optimize our sexual pleasure.” (Here are 10 moves that are even hotter than sexting.)

Men were more likely to send full nude or genital shots, while women focused on other assets, like their breasts and butt, the survey found.

Just keep in mind that she may not be into it until she can trust you. Nearly 60 percent of women surveyed said they’re most likely to sext either a long-term partner or their spouse—but 36 percent admit to sexting casual partners, too.

It’s not a bad idea to talk to her about it first, though. More than 40 percent of women have received an unwanted sext and 7 percent of American women have had a nude photo shared without their consent (that number more than doubled for European women), the survey found. Not cool, man.

Street plays on ‘adolescent reproductive & sexual health’

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Street plays on ‘adolescent reproductive & sexual health’

2017-05-31

Under the aegis of National Health Mission, along with District Health Society, Kohima, department of Health & Family Welfare conducted an Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health (ARSH) on May 27, at Chandmari colony ward No-12 & WN-13 and Jalukie.
Chandmari colony Kohima: The adolescent club members carried out IEC activity in the form of “street play” to educate and create awareness amongst adolescence group.
The programme was chaired by media officer Kungcham Dailiam, with words of encouragement to adolescent members before the play.
Dy MEIO took the technical part by imparting health talk on ARSH. She informed on what an adolescent health was and sensitized the participants.
Speaking on the importance of Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplement (WIFS), she imparted on anaemia problems, dangers of early pregnancy, hygienic issues to inculcate a healthy fitness life style amongst the students. She also mentioned on the ‘adolescents’, guide on abstinence, which was a good way to protect oneself from risk pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Street play on topic “danger of early pregnancy” was acted at Chandmari ward No-13 street in collaboration with IEC Bureau activities on NCD. Adolescents also acted on the topic “Menstrual Hygiene” at Ward No-12 during a medical camp from Urban Primary Health Centre.
Jalukie: Likewise the District Health Society, Chief Medical Office Peren along with the Adolescent Club and District IEC Personnels conducted street plays on “teenage pregnancy and early marriage” on May 27 at Jalukie.
State team from the directorate of Health & Family Welfare, IEC Bureau led by health education and training officer, Supongla and her team and program coordinator NCD, Abeni attended the plays for monitoring and supervision.
The Street play aims on educating and creating awareness on the issues, its causes and risk factors and its consequences.
The plays were conducted in Christian High School, Jalukie Town, Baptist High School Samzuiram Village and in main town.
Health talks were also given by IEC personnel to create more intensive awareness.
Questionnaire on teenage pregnancy was also distributed to assess the impact of the plays and whether awareness was effective.