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Reasons Why Pre And Post-HIV Counselling Are Important

Posted on by Michelle Sephofane

You might be wondering why you should get pre and post counselling when home test kits are readily available. Receiving counselling encourages you to explore possible solutions to your results. Why should I get tested for HIV? Getting tested is the most important thing you can do for yourself and for others in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Knowing your status empowers you to make informed decisions. If you test negative, you will be able to adjust your sexual lifestyle to prevent future infections. If you are concerned about being HIV positive, testing will clarify these concerns. If you test positive, you will be able to prevent transmitting the virus to others. What is Pre-test counselling? Pre-test counselling is the counselling you get before taking an HIV test. The counsellor will ask you a few screening questions to see your readiness for the test and your knowledge about the virus. Here are some of the things the counsellor will discuss with you. What motivated you to seek counselling? What is counselling, and what is the role of the counsellor? Can you tell me about your sexual history? Do you have any health issues? Information about HIV/AIDS, including the testing technique and what HIV-infected people may do to keep as healthy as possible for as long as possible. How do you think a good, inconclusive, or negative result would affect

How To Prepare For Term 3

Posted on by Michelle Sephofane

The start of Term 3 may represent the midpoint through the year where you are heading to the end of the year examinations. This can be both scary and refreshing as you will get to take new classes that you may find challenging or worth the while. These are some of the things to help you prepare for term 3: Reflect on the first and second terms. When the first and second term is over, this is a good time to reflect on how you performed; you might find that you had some highs and lows, and this will help you prepare for what’s coming. Reflect on how you balanced your workload and if there were any unhealthy habits that didn’t help you; this will help you improve if there is a gap. Preparation is everything. Attending new classes can feel scary and overwhelming at first but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Preparing early has proved to yield good results. You can start by creating a study plan and deciding how much time you want to commit to one subject. Remember that some subjects might require more time than others. Set goals. When you have reflected on the past terms, use those reflections to help you be ready for the new term. You need to set goals which can be short or long-term, big or small, personal, or

3 Skincare Tips You Need To Know

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

When it comes to skincare, there are so many options that it can feel quite overwhelming and somewhat confusing. With a ton of cleansers, toners, scrubs, moisturisers, and serums available, all claiming to give you the best skin ever, it can be challenging to figure out what skincare products are best suited for your skin type. The most important part of building a skincare routine is knowing what your skin type is. When you know your skin type it makes it easy to choose the right products. Here are categories of skin types that can make it easier for you when choosing products: Dry skin is flaky, scaly, or rough. Oily skin is shiny, greasy, and may have big pores. Combination skin is dry in some parts (cheeks) and oily in others (forehead, nose, and chin). Sensitive skin may sting, burn, or itch after you use some other products. Normal skin is balanced, clear, and not sensitive. Choosing the right cleanser Cleansing your skin is the first step for any skincare routine as it will remove any dirt, excess oils, and impurities on the skin. Those with dry or sensitive skin, look for a cleanser with moisturising properties to ensure that oils are not removed from your skin and keep away from foaming cleansers that can dry out your skin.  If you have oily or combination skin, you

Effects of Alcohol: Know When “Phuza” Becomes a Problem

Posted on by Shazia Kassim

Alcohol consumption is a normal part of many societies and cultures and is meant to be enjoyed as it was intended: responsibly. Oftentimes, however, the irresponsible consumption of alcohol impacts communities and individuals negatively. This is why it’s important to educate and amplify the importance of responsible drinking behaviours, attitudes, and practices, thus enabling a culture of moderation and responsible alcohol consumption in our societies. These are some of the signs that “Phuza” has become a problem and calls for concern: You Drink More Than Planned You’ve had times where you ended up drinking more than you thought you would or for longer than you were going to. It may not seem like a big deal if it only happens occasionally, but that shows you have trouble controlling yourself while drinking. And it’s an early warning sign. Your Tolerance Has Gone Up “The usual” doesn’t have as much of an effect on you anymore. You need to drink much more than before to get the buzz you want. Your brain adapts to alcohol over time, and you can become less sensitive to its effects. You’re Dropping the Ball on Life Can you think of more than a few times when you came to work with a hangover, missed deadlines, or got behind on schoolwork because of your drinking? When your alcohol use, including being sick from drinking, often

Life after matric QA

Posted on by admin

Lately, I’ve been receiving a lot of questions about life after matric. Here’re my advice on navigating this exciting and sometimes stressful time, Choma.   Q1: I passed very well, but I didn’t apply. The first thing is to ask yourself if you really want to study further. If you decide to study further, you may still have time. Some tertiary institutions do allow late applications in January or after matric results come out, and you can still apply. Q2: I got accepted into tertiary, what can I expect? Well done Choma! Depending on the institution you applied to, you may have the option to either study online or at the physical building. Be realistic with yourself about the advantages and disadvantages of both styles of learning and what would make more sense money-wise too. Here are my tips on handling tertiary school. Q3: I failed my matric- what are my options? Pick yourself up and try again. You can choose to go back to grade 12 full time, write a supplementary for the subjects you’ve failed, or upgrade your marks at a college. You still have time Choma, don’t ever feel like your time is up. Q4: I don’t know if I should go to tertiary school or find a job. This will depend on different factors such as your financial circumstances at home, if you’re mentally

Choma Unpacks All You Need to Know About PICA

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Have you or someone you know ever experienced unusual cravings to consume non-food items such as clay, soil, paper, or ice? There’s a term for that Choma, it’s called PICA.  These items are often dangerous or don’t have any nutritional value. Here’s more, Causes of PICA There’s many reasons why you or someone you know may have PICA. Having an iron or zinc deficiency is just one of the causes, which your healthcare provider will be able to confirm. It could also be a sign that your body is trying to replenish low nutrient levels. Lastly, PICA can result from extreme stress and mental health issues which your healthcare provider will also be able to diagnose. In some cases, pregnant women may be prone to PICA. Others enjoy the textures and flavours of non-food items which leads them into consumption and falling into the habit. Children, due to their curious nature, also tend to like tasting non-food items, which usually goes away on its own as they grow older. Either way, it’s important to check in with your health care provider if you’re experiencing PICA. Common signs and symptoms of PICA  If you have Pica, you may eat things such as:  Ice Soap Buttons Clay Hair Dirt Sand Ash Chalk Paint Glue Paper Is PICA dangerous or life threatening? PICA can lead to other health conditions and complications,

Preparing for term 3

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Starting a new semester of school can be both refreshing and a little nerve-wracking. On the one hand, you get to take new classes that you may find yourself enjoying. On the other hand, it can also be a little scary leaving behind the schedule you’re comfortable with. Here’s how you can prepare for term 3. Reflect on first and second term Now that first and second term is over, or almost over for some students, it’s a good time to reflect on the highs and lows. Whether you thought your previous terms were a success or that there were areas in which to improve, try to take the time and really think about your past performance. Think about your professors/lecturers/teachers, your workload, how you balanced schoolwork with personal life. This part of assessment might feel unimportant, but it can really help you identify which habits are helping you succeed and also how to improve. Set goals After reflecting on the past terms, use those reflections to set goals for the new term, or expand on any existing goals you have. Your goal can be short term or long term, big or small, school related or personal. As long as the goal is something that will further you as a person and is attainable, go for it! For example, some common goals are to earn and maintain good

Why men should go for yearly health check-ups (Nurse Tshepo)

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Masculinity and cultural norms are major influencers of men’s lack of health-seeking behaviour. A lot of men feel they don’t need to go for a health consultation unless they are extremely sick, which results in men not going for their annual health check-up.  Although you may feel fine or not sick, you should still visit a healthcare institution for regular/annual health check-ups. The importance of health check ups Your annual health check-up is an opportunity to identify developing health problems and raise any red flags about your health. It’s crucial to men’s wellbeing, quality of life, and life span Health check-ups are the only way that we can become aware of early signs of an illness or disease and is crucial in preventing the early development of certain medical conditions. When a disease is picked up early, it improves your chances of effective treatment and management. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly, because like high cholesterol levels and high sugar levels it may not have any symptoms in the early stages, but a simple health examination can pick it up.  What happens at health check ups Your health check-up may include a discussion about your medical history, your family’s history of the disease, and your lifestyle. They will also talk to you about other

HIV testing Q&A

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HIV testing determines if a person has HIV or not by detecting HIV antibodies in your blood or saliva. We all know how important it is to know your status to help end HIV transmissions, however many are still afraid which prevents them from testing. Early detection is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and preventing HIV transmission. Here are some common questions answered which I hope will make you feel more comfortable with your decision to test. Why should I be tested for HIV? Testing is the only way to confirm if you have HIV. You may be nervous about the results, but early detection has many benefits such as: Early treatment provides years of healthy living. Left untreated, HIV can cause life-threatening health problems. Being tested can reduce the anxiety of not knowing your HIV status. Protecting those you love e.g. your partner. I am scared/worried about taking an HIV test. It’s normal to worry whenever you take a test but knowing your status can ease your anxiety. (If you’re HIV negative, you can consider using preventive methods such as being initiated for PrEP). It’s also an opportunity for you to use this experience to become aware of your sexual health in the future. Learning that you have tested HIV positive might be difficult to accept at first, but remember that you’re not alone.

How to deal with matric result anxiety

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It’s rare to find a matric learner who doesn’t feel pressure, anxiety, or stress before getting their results. Here are some self-care techniques to help you manage this time. Try to keep busy Waiting for your matric results can build up stress and anxiety. The truth is, you can’t predict what the future holds for you, but you can control how you approach the waiting process. Focus on what you can control, like your own well-being and how you’ll tackle the year ahead no matter the outcome. You can occupy your time by doing something productive or relaxing, like reading a book or taking a walk each day. You can also go out with friends and family, who’ll help you take your mind off your worries for a while. Don’t isolate yourself It’s important not to isolate yourself when you feel anxious about your results. Isolation builds up increased fear, anxiety, and may make you more vulnerable to chronic illnesses or panic attacks. Chances are, your friends and peers are probably experiencing the same anxiety. Talking about how you feel to your friends and family helps. Remember I’m also here for you, Choma, so you can message me privately any time. Don’t be hard on yourself The most crucial part of being kind to yourself this season is avoiding the constant urge to revisit your question papers and