The fourth time this occurs the brothel is closed permanently. The third major aspect of our prevention campaign focuses on treating STIs. People with STIs are much more susceptible to being infected with the virus. So come in, get treated and use condoms to avoid any infection. Sometimes people have STIs and are not even aware of the condition.
Women are particularly vulnerable.
Unlike their Western counterparts, Thai women do not go for a medical checkup every six months or once a year, and some have never gone at all. We must get our message out simply, maybe through women's magazines or even by inserting little booklets inside sanitary-napkin boxes. The message must be clearly addressed to women, to let them know they are at risk. A lot of them are going to be bystanders who unknowingly contract STIs or HIV from their husbands or boyfriends. Our prevention programme must reach people in the rural areas as well as those in the cities.