Drawing the line between STI and HIV

Anyone putting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the agenda deserves more than a pat on the back, but not including HIV in a discussion on STIs could them a slap on the wrist. 

Chlamydia, human papillomavirus, syphilis, genital herpes and something called molluscum contagiosum) all feature in this line-up of suspects. Besides neglecting the biological connections between HIV and other STIs (that you are more likely to get HIV if you have an STI and that STIs make HIV-positive people more infectious.

 

In fact the quality and quantity of HIV reporting in the Zimbabwean media is in dire need of redress. Although HIV is arguably the most pressing crisis facing Zimbabwe today with approximatelyone in 5 living with the virus, mentions of HIV in the news media are few and far between. 

 

Add to this that journalists reporting on the epidemic often struggle to get their facts straight, and you have a combination of issues which; A: tell the reader that HIV is a non-issue and/or, B: report information on the virus which is factually incorrect or does not cover the issue in full.

These kinds of problems in HIV reporting are not only issues of journalistic integrity; the information communicated to readers could influence the safe (or unsafe) sex choices they make in their everyday lives.