Media Watch

Injectable contraceptives increase HIV risk

Women using injectable contraceptives are at a higher risk of HIV infection and transmission than those who use other non barrier contraceptive methods.

This is according to a new study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal. About 3790 serodiscordant heterosexual couples from 7 African countries were involved in the study which was conducted from 2007 to 2009.

Since the study targeted those in relationships it took into consideration that many of these women were not using barrier methods such as condoms for protection from HIV and other STIs and relied solely on oral or injectable contraceptives as a form of protection against pregnancy alone.

Articles on forced jabs choose sensation over information

Reports of contraceptive injections administered to girls as young as 10 at a primary school in Port Elizabeth, have raised a dull hum throughout the news media.

However reports leave questions around rape and HIV and HIV prevention in general unaddressed.

Sundry articles have also reported that girls at a Port Elizabeth primary school were given the contraceptive injections without their parents consent. The articles have also chosen to focus on the fact that the girls were told that the injections would prevent unwanted pregnancy if they were raped.

While shocking and sensational details such as these are common media fodder, they are often the sole focus, leaving other pertinent questions unaddressed. Specifically questions around whether or not messages about HIV prevention were communicated to the girls are left unconsidered.