Abstract

PIP: People who desire to prevent pregnancy also need to protect themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexual activities which do not involve intercourse, such as masturbation and oral sex, pose no risk of pregnancy and have a lower risk of infection than unprotected intercourse. For couples who want to have intercourse, and know that neither partner has an infection, the most effective form of dual protection is to have sex only with each other and to use any effective form of contraception. For those people who are unsure whether they or their partner are infected with an STI or are at risk of acquiring one, the only effective method of dual protection is the use of a male or female condom, with another contraceptive method, if desired. HIV educators and family planning workers need to discuss protection against both pregnancy and infections with their clients.