How many are we? - thecompassforsbc.org wangapi... · I am going to read a story. Each time I introduce a new character, I will point to someone in Each time I introduce a new character,

Welcome the participants and explain that this is a session about sexual networks. Tell them that this is a sensitive issue and can start a lot of discussion. Every one should feel free to share their opinion. There will be a story and discussion.

This activity works best if there are at least 15 people. The group should not exceed 25.

I am going to read a story. Each time I introduce a new character, I will point to someone in the audience. If I point to you, come to the front and hold onto the character or characters you are connected to. Please remember the character’s name you have been given. Afterward we will have a discussion.

NOTE: Participants and their names in this story are all �ctional(Participants should “snap their �ngers” each time they see a new member added to the sexual network in this story)

This is Pendo. Pendo is a housewife.

This is Mashaka. Pendo and Mashaka have been married for 5 years. They have a 3-year old daughter, and So�a is pregnant with their second child. Mashaka loves his wife, but he has other sexual partners (Snap x3).

This is Sofia. So�a is a secondary school student. She knows Mashaka because during her holidays she works at her father’s shop where Mashaka usually gets groceries for his family. Sometimes Mashaka and So�a have sex (Snap x1). He gives her gifts, like pocket money, and lets her keep change when he buys groceries.

This is Maua. Maua is Mashaka’s girlfriend (Snap x1). Although she is with Mashaka, she also occasionally has sex with Amani (Snap x1).

This is Amani. Amani’s friends call him kiwembe. He has many girlfriends (Snap, x3).

[Invite 3-5 girls to come up and link to Amani]

This is Tumaini. Maua is also in a long-term sexual relationship with Tumaini(Snap x1). Tumaini has to travel a lot for work, and feels he has to �nd other ways to satisfy his needs when he travels.

This is Anita. Anita is having sex with Tumaini (Snap, x1). Tumaini is a wealthy and good-looking man.

This is Zawadi. Zawadi is sleeping with Tumaini (Snap x1). None of Zawadi’s sexual partners (Snap x1) are long term because she is exploring and trying to �nd the right man.

This is Bahati. Tumaini is Bahati’s boss. Tumaini has o�ered Bahati a promotion if she sleeps with him. Bahati has refused. She wants the promotion, but she really loves her boyfriend Faraji and wants to remain faithful to him.

This is Faraji. Bahati is Faraji’s true love and he wants to marry her. Since being with Bahati he has never been with another woman.

[Bahati and Faraji should not be linked into the network.]There is something many people don’t know about Tumaini.

Tumaini has HIV.

Part1: Introduction

Part 2: Demonstration

How many are we?How many are we?Settle downSettle down

Bahati Faraji

Zawadi

SofiaMaua

Anita

Mashaka

Amani

Tumaini

Pendo

Part 3: Discussion About the Story

Part 4: Understanding Sexual Networks

Part 5: Conclusions

Conclude by encouraging participants to consider the question: How many are we?

While the characters are still connected, ask the group:Ques: If Tumaini has HIV, who does he put at risk of HIV infection?

Ans: Tumaini could �rst infect his three partners (Maua, Anita, and Zawadi), who could infect their partners, Mashaka and Amani. Mashaka and Amani could then infect all of their partners.

Ques: Who has not been exposed to HIV? Why?

Ans: Zawadi and Faraji, because they are having sex only with each other, they are not linked into the network.

NOTE: However, this is only true if they had tested negative before being together.

Ques: Pendo is having sex with only one person. Is she at risk of HIV infection? Why or why not?

Ans: Yes, because her sexual partner Mashaka has another sexual partner.

Ques: What could happen to Pendo and Mashaka’s unborn child if they became infected with HIV? What about their three-year old daughter?

Ans: If Pendo became infected with HIV, there is a chance that she could transmit the virus to their unborn baby. Pendo and Mashaka would need to enroll in PMTCT (prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV) services to try and prevent the baby from becoming infected. Pendo and Mashaka’s daughter could become an orphan.

Ques: What could have happened if Bahati decided to sleep with Tumaini to get the promotion?

Ans: She would have put herself and her boyfriend Faraji at risk of HIV infection.

The actors may now rejoin the rest of the group. Discuss the following questions:

1. Are there situations like this in your community? Describe them. 2. Why do people have more than one sexual partner? 3. What are the consequences of having more than one sexual partner? 4. How might having more than one sexual partner impact someone’s relationship with their main partner? Their �nances? Their family? 5. Is it possible to have only one sexual partner at a time, like Bahati and Faraji? How? 6. If someone does have more than one partner at the same time, what can he or she do to reduce his or her risk of HIV?

Ans: • Use a condom with every partner each time he or she has sex. • Get tested for HIV together with his or her partners and learn each other’s HIV status.

Ask participants to share what they learned from the session? Review the following key points: • When people have more than one sexual partner at the same time, it results in a “sexual network,” where many people are connected through their sexual partners. • HIV can spread very rapidly through these sexual networks. • Even people who have only one sexual partner may be at risk of HIV if their partner has another partner. • Only one person in a sexual network needs to have HIV in order for everyone in the network to be at risk of HIV infection. • You can reduce your risk of HIV by reducing your number of sexual partners.

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare