Campaign carries out STI prevention actions during Manaus Carnival

sexual health

There was distribution of condoms, testing and health education

Manaus (AM) – During Carnival in the Forest 2024, from the 3rd to the 13th of February, the Amazonas Health Surveillance Foundation – Dr. Rosemary Costa Pinto (FVS-RCP), from the State Department of Health of Amazonas, reinforced the importance of sexual health by carrying out actions to prevent HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

The actions included the distribution of 57,200 condoms, 55,000 male and 2,200 female; 7,600 lubricating gels, 2,000 health education materials on sexual health prevention and 77 HIV self-tests. The actions had the support of the State Department of Culture and Creative Economy, directors of Bloco das Piranhas and Bloco Galo de Manaus and the Manaus Department of Health.

The initiative also took place in partnership with the Amazonas Harm Reduction Association (Ardam), Association of Transvestites, Transsexuals and Transgenders of the State of Amazonas (Assotram), Rede Amizade, Non-Governmental Organization Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and Fundação Alfredo da Matta Hospital (Fuham).

The activities were held on February 3, with the parade of the Samba Schools of the Special Group of Manaus, at the Prof. Convention Center. Gilberto Mestrinho – Manaus Sambadrome; on Sunday (11), during Bloco das Piranhas, at the Arena da Amazônia Podium; and on Tuesday (13), in the Galo de Manaus block, also at the Sambódromo de Manaus.

The CEO of FVS-RCP, Tatyana Amorim, emphasized the importance of highlighting that it is possible to play in the carnival festivities while maintaining health care, including sexual health. “FVS-RCP was present to work on health education and STI prevention actions. Guidance on Prep and PEP, which are pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, was also part of the work”, he highlighted.

According to the manager of Chronic Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections at the FVS-RCP Epidemiological Surveillance Department, Jair Pinheiro, Carnival is an opportunity to raise people’s awareness about safe sexual relations.

“It is important that knowledge about preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections is emphasized. In these initiatives, we seek to expand knowledge about sexual health in public perception, aiming for a healthier and more informed society”,

says the manager.

FVS-RCP at Carnival

During the Carnival in the Forest 2024 program, in addition to the sexual health prevention action, the FVS-RCP carried out monitoring of a mass event with sensitive surveillance regarding health care and paraded, on February 3, the “Prevention Block – in the revelry with health”, with warning about preventing diseases with a seasonal period during the rainy season in the state.

Through representatives, FVS-RCP also participated in meetings to monitor Carnival in the Forest 2024 activities with state departments and institutions, such as health and safety. Combined, health surveillance actions during Carnival aim to prevent infections and communicable diseases, in addition to being ready for any unusual event of interest to public health.

*With information from consultancy

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