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.

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.

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.

The Middle East has one of the lowest prevalence rates for HIV in the world. Despite this, progress towards the UNAIDS 90 90 90 targets is low. There is still deep stigma across the Middle East towards people with HIV and how they are treated.

HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If left untreated it often leads to AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which can lead to death. However, there have been a lot of advances in medication. HIV is no longer the life-threatening condition it once was. With regular medication, most people should lead a normal length of life.

Protecting your health is really important. Your healthcare routine includes (or should) regular trips to the dentist and optician, as well as pre-cancer checks as we get older. If you have different sexual partners you should also include STI tests.

Most people who have an STI do not have any symptoms. However, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for. If you do notice any of these in you or your partner, then getting tested is a good idea.

Since the 1980s, HIV/ AIDS is one of the sexually transmitted infections that instils the most fear in people. With the threat of death, many people remain unaware of available HIV treatments (both pre and post exposure) that can help reduce the amount of damage to their system – enabling healthy long lives – as well as the risks of transmission to future sexual partners. The best way to combat HIV is to engage in safe sex, fight stigma, know your own risk and take preventative measures, understand how the virus is transmitted and what the symptoms are.

In some parts of the world, women who experience partner violence are 1.5 times more likely to be affected by HIV than women who do not. Amongst neglected populations, including transgender women or sex workers, higher rates of violence are linked with an increasing prevalence of HIV infections.

More and more people in Oman are ditching old-school views on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and getting tested. Thanks to the government’s campaign to address and dispel stigma surrounding the condition – the barriers around HIV testing are no longer preventing as many people from testing for the virus. Despite this, rates of new HIV infections are still increasing – with the majority of cases resulting from unprotected sex – and there are various challenges yet to be addressed.

Cervical cancer vaccinations remain optional in areas of the Middle East, such as Dubai and other Northern Emirates, even though the vaccine could help prevent 90% of cervical cancer cases in the UAE. The vaccine for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the recommended prevention method for HPV-related cancers. Despite this, cultural and religious beliefs around sexual health are creating misconceptions and barriers to the acceptance of this vaccine.

You’ve had all your vaccinations and let’s say that you’ve also passed the array of medical tests needed for your application for a residency visa, work permit or travel visa. These requirements will vary depending on where you are planning to visit or migrate to. You should always read up on the laws specific to the country. Now you can relax and enjoy the exoticism that is the Middle East. Summer romances, international love affairs, it all seems so exciting whilst you’re in it until something doesn’t feel quite right down there…

Moving abroad is probably everyone’s dream come true. Who wouldn’t want to live in a country where your biggest worry is whether you are wearing enough sun cream and not your vitamin D levels?

Cervical cancer related deaths are set to double in the Middle East by 2035. Conservative nations are encouraged to vaccinate people against HPV and tackle sexual taboos. The Ministry of Health and Prevention added the HPV vaccine to the National Immunisation Programme for the first time in the Northern Emirates this year.

One quarter of New Year Resolutions are health orientated, with many people wanting to either lose weight or take a more active approach towards their health. In light of this, you should take into account your sexual health.

Often ignored, or brushed under the rug to avoid embarrassment, many individuals disregard signs that they need an STI test in hope that the symptoms simply vanish.

Sexually transmitted infections affects anyone who has sex. Especially if you have sex without using barrier protection. Unfortunately, there seems to be a misconception that STIs are not common or that ‘it won’t happen to me’.

Better2Know provides Genital Wart treatment at our private sexual health clinic in Dubai. Conveniently located in Jumeriah Beach, you can organise your confidential appointment for a time and date that suits you. Our expert sexual health advisors are available 24/7 to help you with your private booking.

Better2Know is the Middle East’s largest provider of private sexual health testing services. We offer confidential STI tests and screens throughout the region, with several clinics in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Our conveniently located facilities in the capital, Manama, operate at the highest international standards of quality. Situated in the districts of Bu Ghazal, Zinj and Umm Al Hassam, we have same or next day availability seven days a week in Bahrain, with highly efficient testing for a variety of STIs, including Syphilis. With Better2Know, you can book your confidential Syphilis test online, or by calling our dedicated team today.

Today is World AIDS Day, and this year’s global campaign hopes to end isolation, end stigma, and, ultimately, end HIV transmission. At Better2Know, we believe in the normalisation of HIV and AIDS. By increasing awareness and removing any associated stigmas, we aim to improve the health of our patients both in the Middle East and around the world.

Better2Know provides comprehensive STI and HIV testing throughout the Middle East, including the nation of Oman. Our world class facility in the capital, Muscat, has same or next day availability six days a week, offering a broad range of sexual health and andrology related testing services.

Whilst conclusive sexual health data can be somewhat difficult to obtain in certain Middle Eastern nations, the threat of venereal disease in the area remains ubiquitous. What we do know about the region is that almost 1 in 10 women are infected with the Herpes virus – the figures don’t improve much for men, either – while in 2016, around 11,000 AIDS related deaths were estimated throughout North West Africa and the Middle East. Perhaps the most pressing statistic, however, is that more than 1 million STIs are acquired around the world every single day.

Better2Know is the largest provider of private sexual health testing services in the Middle East. We have world class clinics across the UAE, offering HIV testing in Al Ain and beyond. Our Khalifa Bin Zayed Street clinic is open 14 hours a day, 6 days a week, offering tests and screens for a variety of STIs, including HIV.