Protect against sexually transmissible infections, such as HIV.

Every day more than one million people are infected with a curable Sexually Transmissible Infection (STI). Many of these people, especially women, don't have any symptoms so they are unaware that they require treatment.

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in the world and can lead to infertility. Seventy percent of chlamydia cases are in people under the age of 25 years.

In 1997, almost 6,000 women a day became infected with HIV. If they are unable to recieve treatment, some of these women may pass HIV on to their infants during pregnancy, delivery or breast-feeding.

HIV and AIDS in the Pacific

HIV and AIDS pose a risk to Pacific Island populations, who are often small but unique in their culture. Excluding PNG, HIV numbers are low across the Pacific compared to other regions of the world. However, in some Pacific Island Countries, the numbers represent a significant percentage of the population and are growing rapidly.

Fiji has reported 259 HIV cases since 1989, with more than 15 cases reported in 2007. Anecdotal evidence suggests that for every case reported, there are approximately 10 more that go unreported.

In Papua New Guinea, where the population is almost 6 million, HIV infections are believed to be 10 times higher than the reported 4,500 cases, with some estimates being as high as 60,000.