The STI Game!  Fun 

INTRODUCTION One of the greatest deterrents to the practice of safer sex is the mindset, “It can’t happen to me.” Statistics show that 62% of STIs occur in the 15 – 24 year old group This lesson shows the progression in the spread of an STI, prompts thinking about the reasons many people do not protect themselves, and encourages students to assess risk and make personal decisions concerning sexual behaviour that may prevent STI/HIV.

Step One Pick a card, any card!

Step Two Time to mingle!

Note: you cannot repeat partners within this game. Step Three Find a partner Sign your partner’s card and then each of you must share the name and common symptoms of an STI Note: you cannot repeat partners within this game.

Note: you cannot repeat partners within this game. Step Four Find a new partner Sign your partner’s card and then discuss reasons why some people do not protect themselves from STIs Note: you cannot repeat partners within this game.

Step Five Find another new partner Sign your partner’s card and then discuss two ways people can protect themselves from STIs Note: you cannot repeat partners within this game.

Step Six Return to your desk with your own card in hand. (you should have three different names on it)

Look at the back of your card. Stand up if you have a ‘D’ on your card Step Seven Look at the back of your card. Stand up if you have a ‘D’ on your card

For the purpose of this activity… Bad news… For the purpose of this activity…  YOU HAVE AN STI  Please stand and read out the names on the other side of your card (remain standing!)

Bad news… If your name was just read out… YOU HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH THE INFECTED PERSON AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE INFECTED WITH AN STI Please stand and read out the names on the other side of your card

Bad news… If your name was just read out, stand up because… YOU HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH THE INFECTED PERSON AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE INFECTED WITH AN STI

BUT… Have a look at the letter on the back of your card. Please stay standing BUT… Have a look at the letter on the back of your card.

If you have an `A` on the back of your card… You can sit down because… although you were in a relationship with the person, you remained ABSTINENT

If you have a `C` on the back of your card… Step to the back of the room because… you used a condom to reduce the risk of getting an STI (but you aren`t necessarily free & clear!)

If you are still standing… although you are bright, healthy, intelligent and clean students… You have been exposed to an STI

WHY? because you didn’t know until after the sexual contact that the person you had sex with was infected

Discussion How does this activity relate to the spread of disease? How did it feel to find out you had been exposed to an STI? How did it feel to find out you had exposed others to an STI? For those of you who were able to sit down because youwere abstinent, how did it feel to be able to sit down again? For those of you who were able to move to the side because you and your partner always used a condom or other protective method, how did it feel to be able to move to the side?

What is the most important message you will take from this activity? Discussion cont. What is the most important message you will take from this activity?

THINK ABOUT THIS You can’t always tell who (including you) has the disease and who doesn’t. You can totally protect yourself from STIs by remaining abstinent You can reduce your risk of STI by being monogamous or using protection against a condom.