User:Alicenakide/sandbox

Smart Play is an initiative of Kyadondo Sports Club (KSC) that stems from a need that was identified in the KSC community. Many of the rugby players are identified through weekly free TAG rugby for kids, which are provided by the club. KSC has also managed to provide some scholarships for the players to attend private schools across Uganda. However, since these players come from the local slum community, they do not have much support from their homes in terms of sexual and reproductive health. Unsure, how to manage the situation the KSC Committee, has sought expert guidance through Uganda Heath Marketing Group (UHMG).

UHMG promotes better health and health awareness in Uganda by providing essential and affordable healthcare solutions for family planning, malaria, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and sexual and reproductive health.

Play Smart is a behavior change campaign that is tackling the problem mirrored in society in general, notably youth getting involved in risky sexual behavior. Through this partnership, UHMG will be sponsoring the major club team the ‘Protector Heathens’. The KSR will build on the sponsorship to communicate to the youth specifically about the ‘smart play’ sex rules.

SMART PLAY GUIDELINES

Smart Play 1: Abstain from sex

Practice safe sex for a better and healthier life

The only way to be 100% sure you'll prevent pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection is to not have sex, often called abstaining. Many young people choose to delay having sex until they are finished with school. Other young people make a choice to abstain from sex until they get married. If you are too embarrassed to talk to your partner about sex, then you may want to wait until you feel comfortable talking about it.

If you choose to abstain until marriage, talk to your partner about it. If your partner really cares about you, your partner should help you meet your goal.

Don't be afraid to say “no” to sex for now if that's what's right for you.

Smart Play 2: Be faithful

Apart from abstinence, one way of preventing contracting an STI is to be part of a long-term, one-partner relationship. As long as the two of you remain faithful to one another, you may reach a point in your relationship where you decide to have sex without barrier protection. (If one of you has an STI, you may want to continue using barrier protection, even if you're monogamous, to prevent transmitting the infection.)

However, this pact only works if both of you remain monogamous. If your partner begins having sexual encounters outside your relationship, you may contract STIs without knowing it.

For young people this may not be the best option. Even if you are being monogamous with one person, it is often for a short period of time. Having one monogamous partner after another is really the same as having multiple partners and puts you at risk of contracting HIV and STIs. Even if you are monogamous at the time, multiple partners over time still increases your risk.

Before you are really ready for the commitment of marriage or a long-term relationship, you should not think that monogamy by itself protects you. It is better to use a condom.

Smart Play 3: Use condoms every time

The best way to prevent pregnancy and lower your risk for getting an STI is to use barrier protection correctly every time you have a sexual encounter. Male condoms are the most common form of protection, but there are both male and female condoms.

In case you somehow missed it, male condoms fit over the erect penis and create a latex barrier against pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Female condoms also create a latex barrier. The female condoms has two rings, one is small and is inserted in the vagina. The other larger ring remains outside the vagina. The erect penis enters through the large ring into the vagina during sex.

You can only get pregnant from unprotected vaginal sex, of course, but you can contract a sexually transmitted infection from vaginal, oral and other sex. For that reason, protection is a must at any sexual encounter.

You can purchase Protector condoms at dukas, drug shops, pharmacies, bars, Good Life Clinics, supermarkets, etc.

'''Smart Play 4: Know your HIV status. Go for a test together as a couple'''

If you are sexually active, or have been at any point in the past, it's important you are checked regularly for HIV. It is possible to have HIV and unknowingly to pass it to your partner. The only way that you can know for sure if you have HIV is to get an HIV test.

It is important to go with your partner for the HIV test so that the counselor can help you understand and react to the results as a couple, and learn ways of reducing any risk you may be facing. For instance, men who are HIV negative may want to have safe male circumcision; by removing the foreskin, the risk of contracting HIV reduces, however you will still be advised to use a condom. Also, if either of you is HIV positive, by being on treatment, you will reduce the risk of passing it to a partner. Finally, any pregnant woman who tests positive will get free treatment for life to prevent passing HIV to her baby.

Smart Play 5: Prevent other sexually transmitted infections

Some infections that are contracted through sexual encounters do not cause significant symptoms or signs until several weeks, months, or even years after you've contracted them. By the time you find out you have the STI, you may have unknowingly shared it with someone. Likewise, a partner may unknowingly share an STI with you.

STI symptoms can be burning, itching, sores or swelling in the genitals, discharge, painful urination or sexual intercourse and pain in the lower abdomen.

See a health care provider right away if you have any of these.

Smart Play 6: Limit your number of partners

This fact is simple: The more people you are sexually involved with, the more likely you are to get an STI or to get pregnant.

Limit your number of sexual partners. Each new partner brings a history of other sexual partners, sexual encounters, and potential infections. If you're not in a monogamous relationship, being smart about your sexual encounters can help keep you safe.

Smart Play 7: Make your smart choice

There are many Smart Choices available to you to so that you can have children when you choose to have them. There are Smart Choices available for all types of people in all types of life circumstances. Over a lifetime people will use different methods at different times.

Birth prevention options are expanding, today - condoms, daily pills, monthly injections, intrauterine (IUDs), implants and permanent methods are all options for preventing pregnancy if you are sexually active.

Talk with your health care provider about your Smart Choices options if you are or may become sexually active.

What's your smart choice?

Smart Play 8: Don't mix sex with drugs or alcohol

Drugs may only directly cause AIDS when they're injected with an infected needle, but they can lead to the kind of impulsiveness that can lead to problems.

In fact, both research and common sense tells us that when alcohol or other drugs are added to a sexual encounter, condoms and other good intentions get left out. And one dumb choice is all it takes to undo a lifetime of smart choices.

Smart Play: Conclusions

“On the pitch you can play hard and take risks to score. But with HIV you are playing with your life - Play Safe, Play Smart - protect yourself!”-- Seguya Robert

And on top of everything else, there's no guarantee that even following the Smart Play guidelines presented here will absolutely protect you from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Still, while "Smart Play" may not be entirely risk-free, a lot of the people who practice it seem to think that it's better than having sexual infections, coping with the embarrassment, loss of career options, loss of good health.

And if all the self-scrutiny and preparation seems like more trouble than they're worth, just consider the Ugandans who've contracted HIV thus far, those who've died or lost loved ones, the orphans and widows who are struggling to survive.

Reading this is your first smart play!

The Good Life starts with YOU!

Play Safe, Play Smart.

Why Rugby?

Rugby brings people together, from all walks of life and encourages them to work, socialize and communicate with each other, ultimately leading them to face up to, and solve challenges they face in their daily lives. Players of all ages indirectly have mentors and role models with the club, very often employers and educational sponsors too, including through the club's scholarship programme. 70% of Uganda's population is under 20 years old, and are now very media and technology conscious. Consequently engaging and inspiring the youth is critical. Role models and popular areas of media coverage are very influential and need to be managed to help influence both the current and next generations; youth look to Rugby (Sports) players as role models and peers of influence. With the youth being the future of Uganda, we hope by introducing the UHMG message of healthy living early through Rugby, with the good life starts with making smart choices that it we will help to influence and instill the way they think about the world they live in and the longevity of lives.

Smart Play Communication Platforms

The UHMG partnership with rugby is to help provide an education platform for KSC Play Smart health awareness engagement

Smart Play: Encourages teamwork, teaches fair play and sportsmanship, engaging of the youth to deliver important messages in health and sportsmanship to help the development of leadership skills. Play Smart: Urges the integration of youth/adults working together to follow the Smart Play Guidelines: Smart Play 1: Abstain from sex Smart Play 2: Be Faithful (monogamous) Smart Play 3: Use condoms every time Smart Play 4: Know your HIV status. Go for a test together as a couple. Smart Play 5: Prevent other sexually transmitted infections Smart Play 6: Limit your number of partners Smart Play 7: Make your smart choice for family panning Smart Play 8: Don't mix sex with drugs or alcohol Smart Play: Conclusions

Good Sportsmanship + Smart Play = The Good Life

Smart Play is defined as:

Playing fair, following the rules of the game, respecting the judgment of referees and officials and treating opponents with respect. Treat the people you play with and against, as you'd like to be treated yourself. You demonstrate “Smart Play” when you show respect for yourself, your teammates, and your opponents, for the coaches on both sides, and for the referees, judges, and other officials. Smart Play is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you. Playing it safe sexually today means playing it smart. The stakes are just higher, that's all. The Smart Play sex guidelines will help you lower your risk of contracting HIV and other STIs. Underlying the Smart Play guidelines are the following principals:

Be knowledgeable and prepared: Smart Play, shouldn't ever be a hassle or a hindrance and it doesn't even have to stop spontaneity or take the love or romance out of lovemaking. But it does show that you care enough about yourself and your partner by preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, gonorrhea, or syphilis. Smart Sex is fun sex when it is between consenting adults. Playing fair means listening to your partner and never forcing your partner into sex. Also, violent and aggressive sex increases chances of STI transmission. Communicate openly. It’s important that the two of you share your beliefs and be honest so that together you can choose the smart play, which works best for both of you. Sex is not always the easiest topic to bring up with a new partner—or even a partner you’ve had for a while. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s important. Smart Play practices keep you and your partner healthy. Before your first sexual encounter, it’s smart to have a discussion about your behaviors, preferences, history, and choices for protection. Being proactive about this talk helps prevent heat-of-the-moment decisions that can lead to long-term regrets.