The Better2Know Blog

As reported by The New Arab, Tunisia is set to become the first country in the Arab world to introduce sex education into schools. This is a positive sign of progress in improving awareness of sex and sexual health in MENA.

On 1^st December, World AIDS Day is held to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS worldwide, with the hope to end isolation, stigma, and, ultimately, HIV transmission. This year’s global campaign focuses on the importance of communities and how “communities make the difference”.

Maybe you have noticed unusual wart-like symptoms in your genital area, or maybe you are just curious. What are Genital Warts? Are they common? Why are they there? Can I get rid of them? How can I prevent them? Look no further, we have all the answers you need.

Hepatitis is a viral infection which affects the liver. There are many different strains of Hepatitis. Some infections will only last for a short period of time, whilst others can become chronic and lead to serious health problems. Here we explain the main differences between Hepatitis A, B and C, and why it is important to be tested for each.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can lead to life-threatening consequences if left untreated. Syphilis progresses in three prominent stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. A Syphilis infection can be easily cured and treated in the earlier stages, so it’s important to understand which symptoms to look out for before the infection is able to cause permanent damage.

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the rate of current Chlamydia infections is similar to other parts of the world – around 3 percent. This surprising statistic confirms that, despite cultural and religious norms, STIs, and Chlamydia in particular, are widely spread throughout the general population.

This year, a survey by the Arab Barometer indicated that individuals in the Middle East and North Africa feel less able to express themselves today than in 2013. In turn, this is negatively affecting sex education. It is important that people are educated about safe sex and sexually transmitted infections. Speaking openly about these topics is the way forward.

As with many other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the symptoms, signs and long-term health complications associated with Gonorrhoea differ between men and women. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of STIs including Gonorrhoea. Since many people exhibit no symptoms in the early stages of infection, it is important to get tested if you may have been at risk. Here we explain the similarities and differences between Gonorrhoea in men and women.

Things are changing all across our world. With cheaper and accessible travel, people are migrating faster and further. With these changes come new opportunities for cultural exchange, changes to diet, lifestyle and health.

Chlamydia is one of the world’s most common STIs, according to a recent report published by the World Health Organisation. One of the big reasons for this is that many people have no symptoms when they have Chlamydia. Over 80% of women and 50% of men will not know they have the infection.