Human sexuality

Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: Health, access, & HIV

Published by: 
The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF)

In every world region, men who have sex with men (MSM) face significantly higher rates of HIV than the general population. Young people are also at increased risk for HIV, comprising over 40% of new HIV infections worldwide. Young MSM (YMSM) face the heightened risks of both populations, as well as a number of vulnerabilities that are unique to YMSM. Despite the clear need for intervention, YMSM are often left out of research, policy, and programs designed for general MSM, general youth, and the general population. While data on HIV among YMSM are extreme - ly limited, existing studies show high HIV prevalence among YMSM around the world.

A Review of Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa – Experiences of Schooling, and Knowledge and Access to Sexual & Reproductive Health Services

Published by: 
Other/ unknown/ unpublished

Approximately 30% of teenagers in South Africa report ‘ever having been pregnant’, the majority, unplanned. While this number has decreased over the past few decades, it is still unacceptably high. The figure is for all teenagers. (13-19 years old), but motherhood for an 18 or 19 year old has very different implications than for a young teenager, one aged 15, for example. Therefore this report tries, where possible, to be mindful of differing experiences of pregnancy and motherhood across the teen years.

“We’ll Show You You’re a Woman”: Violence and Discrimination against Black Lesbians and Transgender Men in South Africa

Published by: 
Human Rights Watch

This 93-page report is based on more than 120 interviews conducted in six provinces. Human Rights Watch found that lesbians and transgender men face extensive discrimination and violence in their daily lives, both from private individuals and government officials. The abusers of people known or assumed to be lesbian, bisexual, or transgender act with near-total impunity, Human Rights Watch found.

Adolescent sexual and reproductive care

Series Name: 
Nursing Update
Published by: 
Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa

Marion Stevens, treatment monitor with the Health Systems Trust, reflects on adolescent sexual and reproductive healthcare during Youth Month.

With June being Youth Month, it's important to consider and reflect on the area of adolescent sexual and reproductive healthcare. This is an area that is often ignored as we grapple with the reality that adolescents are choosing tobe sexually active, but cultural practices often limit open communication about sex with our cllildren. As nurses we have a responsibility to provide care of adolescents' sexual health, which also includes the results of unplanned pregnancies,abortion, spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and maternal mortality and morbidity.

Annual Report 2004-05

Series Name: 
HST Annual Report
Published by: 
Health Systems Trust

This Annual Report of the Health Systems Trust (HST) reflects an extensive programme of research and development initiatives during the 2004/05 financial year, responding to priority health needs in South Africa and the broader SADC region.The following four strategic areas received particular attention during this year:
i. the supply and distribution of human resources in the public health sector

Summary Report on Assessing the Adequacy of Training Undergraduate Medical Doctors on Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in South Africa

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health concern in South Africa, especially given the cofactor effect on HIV transmission. It is estimated that 11 million new cases of curable STI occur annually and thus STI control has been placed high on the public health agenda. This report assesses the adequacy of training of medical doctors on the management of sexually transmitted infections at eight medical schools in South Africa within the context of the national STI control programme. It analyses the STI curriculum in medical schools, the knowledge and practice of community service doctors (CSD) on STI management and the extent of medical school involvement in the national STI control programme.

Sexually Transmitted Infections - An Overview of Issues on STI Management and Control in South Africa

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) is a key intervention in the fight against HIV/AIDS and is one of the key areas of focus for the national strategic plan. This booklet provides an overview of broad issues related to the management of STI in South Africa. It reviews both the public and private sector issues describing the key health system problems and strategies being taken to address them by different stakeholders.

A Practical Guide to Using the District STI Quality of Care Assessment - DISCA

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
This book is written to explain the purpose of the District STI Quality of Care Assessment tool (DISCA)and to provide a clear guide for the correct use of this tool.It is written for district managers,clinic supervisors andother members of staff who would be involved in conducting an evaluation of the quality of care provided to people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In the appendix are a number of teaching guides related to aspects of STI management that could be photocopied and left at clinics to assist the clinicians.

Forum for the establishment of appropriate services for management and prevention of STDs in South Africa, Workshop proceedings, 25 - 26 September 1997, Johannesburg

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing an HIV/AIDS pandemic, made worse by the fact that the region also has some of the highest levels of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the world. In July 1997, the South African HIV/AIDS & STD Directorate of the National Department of Health conducted a National Review of the AIDS/STD situation in the country. Among the priority areas recommended for action was improved STD control. South Africa has the opportunity to learn from the experiences of other countries in Africa. Therefore the Department of Health in partnership with the Health Systems Trust, the Reproductive Health Research Unit and the Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, convened a meeting with the purpose of determining strategies to prevent and manage STDs The forum had the active participation of people from provincial and National Departments of Health complemented by the experience of both national and international experts.