Prevention

Abstaining from (i.e. not having) sex is the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission. There are several ways to protect yourself or to prevent transmission of HIV during vaginal, oral or anal sex if you choose to have sex:

• Get tested for HIV and verify the HIV status of yourself and your partner.
• Be faithful to your sexual partner,as having different sexual partners will increase risk. 
• Use condoms or other latex barriers during vaginal, oral and anal sex, and never re-use condoms or latex barriers. 
  
  

A lot of health care workers in the developing countries use the ABC method in their prevention and educational programmes: Abstain (from sex), Be faithful (in your relationship) and use a Condom.   Life Skills-Based Education is an important method when it comes to prevention. In Life Skills-Based Education, children are taught how to master their lives in a self-determining way. This kind of education is adopted as a way to empower young people in challenging situations. It is an interactive process of teaching and learning. Young people thus acquire knowledge and develop attitudes and skills leading to healthy behaviour. For example, in challenging relations and sexuality issues, Life Skills-Based Education can prevent HIV infection, unwanted pregnancy, abortion and many emotional problems.