The Safe Sex campaign of MSF, which was launched in June 1997, has been well received by young Muscovites. Safe Sex My Choice' and that they consider information like this very important. Russia's youth have only limited sources of information regarding issues like safe sex. Apart from incidental private initiatives there is still no sex education in Russian schools. Sexually transmitted diseases have risen by a factor of up to 60 times the levels they were in 1990, and HIV from 23 persons in 1987 to over 8000 today.
Abortion is a common form of birth control.
Sexually transmitted diseases and abortion, both preventable with safe sex, are contributors to infertility and the declining birth rate. For HIV there is still no cure. The survey among 15 - 25 year old Muscovite youth revealed that, although they know the modes of transmission of HIV, important misconceptions still exist. Some consider sharing towels, sweat and coughing to be risk factors as well. Young Muscovites are sexually very active.