Page 34 - 2024 - Q2 - Minerva in Focus

MINERVA IN FOCUS

Preventing

STIs

& HIV/AIDS

on board

merchant ships

A guide by the International Seafarer’s Welfare
and Assistance Network (ISWAN)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very common!
Nearly a million people get an STI every day. However,
seafarers are at an increased risk of contracting STIs due
to reasons such as working and living away from spouses and
partners, lack of information about risk and preventative
measures, and travel enhancing the possibilities of having sex
with casual partners.

STIs vs STDs
STIs are a major cause of acute illness, infertility, long-term dis- Medically, an STI is an infection before
ability, and even death, with severe medical and psychological and after it causes symptoms and becomes
consequences for millions of men, women and children. The a disease. An STD — sexually transmitted
presence of an untreated STI can increase the risk of becoming disease — is an infection that has
infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, causing AIDS). symptoms. Therefore, the term STI is
On the other hand, early diagnosis and improved management preferred because STIs can be passed from
of other sexually transmitted infections can reduce the incidence one person to another — even when there
of HIV infection by up to 40%. Prevention and treatment of all are no symptoms. It’s also a lot easier
sexually transmitted infections are therefore important for the to prevent getting most STIs than it is
prevention of HIV infection. to treat most STDs.

32 ISSUE 28 / Q2 2024