12 February 2006 Johannesburg – changing lives and lifestyles The City of Johannesburg will intensify its efforts in fighting sexually transmitted diseases during the Reproductive Health Week campaign, starting 12th-18 February 2006. Reproductive Health Week is observed annually and this year's theme is "Just you and I can prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections". The objective of the campaign is to achieve the following: Create awareness among Joburg residents regarding STIs and proper condom usage, including risks associated with unsafe sexual practices Inform and educate the public that STIs are curable if reported early The fight to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections requires changes in attitude and behaviour of all. The campaign will also be conducted at shebeens and taxi ranks in some parts of Johannesburg. The high rate of teen pregnancies despite the available wealth of information regarding HIV& AIDS and its impact, including HIV & AIDS Prevalence studies that indicate that the infection rate among the youth is high, are major areas of concern. A number of schools will be targeted in two of the City's administrative regions, including conducting door - to - door campaign at some hotels in the Hillbrow and Yeoville areas. ENDS Aletta Suping Media Liaison – Communications Department City of Johannesburg Tel :011 407 7271 E-mail: alettas@joburg.org.za Cell: 082 467 9229