In May 2006, Staying Alive worked in partnership with MTV base (in Africa) to produce a new programme, MTV base Uncensored, that looks at social issues affecting young people across the continent. The weekly half hour show will look at various issues to deal with young people and sexual reproductive health, from puberty to dating and relationships to HIV and AIDS transmission and prevention.

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PUBERTY


What is puberty?

Why does hair grow under our arms and around our private parts?

What is a period and when do they come?

What happens in the monthly (menstrual) cycle?

What can I do to stop period pains?

I’m 15 years old and I always feel irritable and temperamental, is this normal for my age?

I've never had a wet dream before how do I know when I'll get one?

I keep getting erections several times a day and I have no control of them. Is this normal in someone my age? Does it happen to other boys? Is there anything that can be done to stop me from having them?

What makes your breasts grow and how can you speed up the process?

Is it normal to masturbate?

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SEX & SEXUALITY


What is sex?

What is sexuality?

How do you know when it’s love?

What is intimacy?

What is a female orgasm?

What is a male orgasm?

I’m 15 years old and I like women and men does this make me gay?

What's safe sex

Is it true that you can't get pregnant the first time that you have sex?

My boyfriend wants to have sex with me without a condom, what should I do?

My boyfriend and I have been sexually active for over a year, but I don’t want to anymore as I am scared of the consequences such as catching HIV/AIDS or and STI but now that we have started I don't want to stop cause I want to make him happy and I love him. How can I make myself feel more comfortable with this?

I’m 18 years old and have a really great boyfriend, but I never seem to feel “horny". I think I don't have sexual feelings towards anyone!

My cousin buys me things so I have sex with him, but I don’t want to, what should I do?

What is the difference between abstinence and celibacy?

My parent's don't talk to me about sex, how can I talk to them about it?

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DATING & RELATIONSHIPS


All my friends have had sex with their girlfriends and I haven’t, they all laugh at me because of this, should I have sex with her so they stop laughing at me?

What does it mean when someone says they have multiple partners?

I’m 15 and going out with a guy who’s 25, should it be a problem

My girlfriend wants sex all the time. How can I tell her that I don’t want to have sex without embarrassing her and hurting the relationship?

I feel uncomfortable talking about sex with my boyfriend, how can I bring it up with him?

Where I am from it is very taboo to speak to your parents about sex, where and who can I speech to?

My boyfriend only wants to come over to my house when nobody’s home, and I’m scared it will lead to something else. What should I do?

My girlfriend just broke up with me, I feel really low what should I do?

My boyfriend and I send all our spare time with each other and this has started to affect my relationship with my friends, what should I do?

I met a guy recently and he said he would buy me clothes and take me to nice places if I have sex with him. My mother can’t afford to buy me nice clothes should I sleep with him?

I have been with my boyfriend for 2 years but recently he has started to hit me, he says he doesn’t mean to, he’s just angry with work, what should I do?

What is a one-night stand?

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CONTRACEPTION


What is a contraceptive?

Should my girlfriend and I use condoms even though she is on the pill?

What types of hormonal contraception are available for women and which are the most reliable?

Are there any other benefits from taking the pill besides not getting pregnant (like regularity, less cramping, etc.)?

How important is it to take the pill at the exact same time every day? Will it still be effective if I take it four hours late?

Where can I get the contraceptive pill? I am sexually active and need to know if I would have to pay for it? And would my parents need to know? As I am under 16.

What is a male condom and how do you put it on?

A week ago I had sex and I think I might be pregnant so should I stop taking my pill?

Does the pill make you gain weight?

I hate going to buy condoms from shops, is there any other places, which are less public?

Are female condoms more effective than male and which gives more feeling?

How can you tell if a condom breaks while you're having sex?

My girlfriend and I are going to have sex, I need to buy some condoms but I’m worried that they might be too big and it will slip off during sex!

What is a Female Condom, how do you use them and are they effective?

I only use spermicide when having sex, is this safe?

Is it true that HIV can get through condoms? I heard that the size of the virus AIDS is smaller than the spaces of a condom and therefore, it's possible that people are getting infected even when using a condom!

I’m worried that putting a condom on could ruin the moment?

How long do I have to take the morning after pill after unprotected sex?

Can the morning after pill protect you against HIV/AIDS and other STI’s?

Can I use the morning after pill as a regular form of birth control?

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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES


What is a STI?

Is a STI is the same thing as an STD?

Can you have an STI and have no symptoms?

Can an STI increase the risk of HIV?

I think I have a STI, because my genitals itch and it hurts when I pass urine, what should I do?

My boyfriend was diagnosed with an STI, do I have to go to get tested?

Can you catch a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) or HIV through oral sex?

What are the best ways to avoid catching STI?

Can you get an STI even if you're a virgin?

Can you get chlamydia any other way besides having oral, anal or vaginal sex?

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

How do you get tested for STI’s?

Can you get STI’s from kissing?

My girlfriend has an STI can we still have oral sex?

Sometimes my boyfriend and I don't use a condom and when we don’t, he uses the "pull-out" method. So far I think it's worked because I haven't become pregnant. But what are my chances of getting STI's when using the "pull-out" method?

What is HPV?

What are genital warts and what do they look like?

My friend had Chlamydia, and is taking medicine to cure it, how long does it take for the medicine to work?

Could I have been born with an STI?

Can I have more than one sexually transmitted infection at a time?

What are the possible ways to contract chlamydia and gonorrhea? And can you get it from kissing?

What are the different types of Hepatitis?

Who can I talk to about STI’s?

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HIV PREVENTION


What is HIV?

Where is HIV found?

What is AIDS?

How is HIV transmitted?

What are the symptoms of HIV?

Can you have AIDS without having HIV?

Is there a cure for AIDS?

Is it true that you become very ill once you have contracted HIV?

Do you need your parent’s permission to get tested for any infections or HIV?

How can HIV infection be prevented?

What exactly is the ABC approach?

How effective are condoms in preventing HIV?

I am HIV Positive and don't want to infect others. What should I do?

How can mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) be prevented?

How can injecting drug users reduce their risk of contracting HIV?

Does the birth control pill prevent you from getting HIV?

Are antiretroviral drugs effective?

Should I tell my partners that I am HIV infected?

What is Post Exposure Prophylaxis?


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MEN


What do people mean by a "typical African man"?

What does it mean to be in a caring relationship?

Because I care about my girlfriend, does this make me feminine?

What is gender equality?

I don't have a role model, should I?

Is it a man's role to protect himself and his partner against HIV and pregnancy?

My friend beats up is girlfriend because she does not want to have sex with him, is this right?

I hate the fact that my father physically beats up my mother, what can I do?

What is polygamy?

What can I do as a man to keep women safe, especially my younger sisters?

Is it ok for men to have multiple partners?

What is a Playa?

How can I talk to my girlfriend about getting an HIV/AIDS test without offending her?

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WOMEN


What is a Sugar Daddy?

My husband treats me like a slave I hate it, what can I do to change his attitude?

My boyfriend who is 10 years older than me hits me if I don't have sex with him, what should I do?

I'm 14 and my parents want me to get married but that means I will not be able to finish school but I really want to finish, what should I do?

My husband and I have two children together but he will not let me go out to work, he says that real work is for men.

Would my boyfriend know if I had a female condom on when we have sex? He is much older than me and I am scared he may have HIV.

How do I know if my partner has HIV? Will there be signs or will he have to be tested?

Is it safe for two infected individuals to engage in unprotected sex exclusively with each other?

My boyfriend says that he doesn't ejaculate inside me, but I'm scared he could still infect me with HIV?
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CULTURE


What is Culture?

What are the positive sides to culture?

What are the negative aspects of culture?

What is female genital cutting?

Can male circumcision help prevent HIV?

What is Polygamy?

I feel that some parts of my culture, such as early marriage, are wrong. How can I talk to my parents who are strict followers in this belief?

The religious leader in my village says that we should not use condoms. Is he right in saying that?

My father says that because of our culture we should not touch people who have HIV/AIDS, is this right?

My mother believes that homosexuality is not culturally right, is she right?

In Ghana, the Ewes say that when a women’s husband has died she has to have sex with a stranger to get rid of his spirit, isn’t this a dangerous practice?

My mother works away from home a lot and my father is entitled to have sex with my aunties is this right?

I am from the Khosa tribe in South Africa and last month I had to have sex with man during an Initiation Ceremony, he was very drunk so we did not use a condom. We are expected to have sex with any man during this ceremony, but now I am scared that I may have contracted HIV?

My family are from the Akan community in Ghana. Recently my father passed away, and we ended up with nothing, as his sister and family threw us out of the house. A new law was passed called the PNDC 111 to prevent this but nothing happened, this is not fair!
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MYTHS


Someone told me that you only get HIV/AIDS from having sexual intercourse with another man and not from having sex with a woman?

If I have a shower after sex will it prevent me from contracting HIV?

I was told that you can’t get HIV from oral sex is this true?

Can you get HIV from casual contact (shaking hands, hugging, using a toilet, drinking from the same glass as someone who is HIV-infected, or being close to an infected person who is sneezing or coughing)?

Can a mosquito transfer HIV?

I heard that if you contract HIV you will die immediately?

Can raping a virgin cure me from HIV?

I found out that a person I slept with was HIV positive, I’m too scared to get tested in case people find out I am?

I have heard that it’s was the white Europeans that gave Africa AIDS is this true?

I’ve heard that condoms are not always effective in preventing HIV. Is this true?

I was told that traditional medicine is the only way to cure HIV/AIDS?

Can HIV be cured by visiting a witch doctor?

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WOMEN II


What do people mean by the term non-consensual sex?

I went on three dates with this guy and he said that I have to have sex with him, but I don’t want to, should I?

What is Date Rape?

What does a rapist look like?

I had sex with a girl at a party and she didn’t say no nor in fact say anything when we were having sex; is this still rape?

When is it right to have sex with your girlfriend?

I was raped three days ago; I’m scared to tell anyone, what should I do?

I was raped by a local man and my mother and father said that I have to marry him, but I don’t want to, why are they doing this?

I was raped by a stranger in a nightclub, will I ever forgive and forget?

Can rape happen within a marriage?

Can women rape men?

I was raped over a month ago and people say that it was my fault because I was wearing provocative clothing, are they right?
How can I avoid being raped?

My friend was raped a few months ago, but now she acts promiscuous and has lots of one night stands. Is this normal behaviour?

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DATING II


How important is it to talk about sex before engaging in it?

My boyfriend and I have been dating for five months and he said that we don’t need to wear a condom anymore, is he right?

Can abstinence in a relationship really work?

I don’t want to have sex or oral sex with my boyfriend; I just want to tell him that I don’t like it, I prefer just kissing and hugging. Am I weird and how do I tell him?

I have been in an arranged marriage for three years, but I have a feeling my husband is sleeping with other women, I want to ask him to wear a condom, but as a women I am not allowed to ask for this?

My girlfriend wants me to have unsafe sex with her. Should I? I know all the consequences but we really love each other?

What is monogamy?

Is it ok for me to ask my new boyfriend to get tested for HIV before we have sex?

My girlfriend said that we should get tested regularly, why?

My boyfriend wants to have sex but I'm not sure if I'm ready. How do I know?

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PREGNANCY


How much semen does it take to get a girl pregnant?

Can you get pregnant without having sex?

How do pregnancy tests work?

My boyfriend said that I can’t get pregnant if I stand up right after sex because he says that all the semen will come out and it won’t get a chance to reach the egg, is this true?

I’m HIV positive - and pregnant, will my child be born with HIV?

Is it really safe to take HIV drugs during pregnancy?

I’m already on antiretroviral drugs and now I've found out I'm pregnant - what should I do?

Is a pre labour caesarean section (PLCS) better than a natural vaginal delivery if your HIV positive?

What is Fistula?

How does Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause infertility?

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SUBSTANCE ABUSE


What is substance abuse?

Me and my girlfriend drank loads of alcohol the other night and ended up having unprotected sex. Does alcohol affect my partner's chances of getting pregnant?

My friend drinks a lot of alcohol when we go out, and sometimes she ends up at some guy’s house. I’m really worried that she’s having unprotected sex with them, what can I do?

My friend forced me to take ecstasy and I ended up sleeping with this guy and I can’t remember anything. I’m scared I may have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or worse, HIV.

All my friends smoke weed, but it makes me feel sick, how do I tell them that I don’t want to smoke it without losing my friends?

I just found out that the security guards at my local nightclub give girls drugs which make them vulnerable to sexual mistreatment by the security guards and others males, what should I do?

What is LSD - and what are the risks?

What is Crystal Meth - and what are the risks?

What is Heroin - and what are the risks?

What is Ecstasy - and what are the risks?

My brother chews on Khat when he is working is this dangerous?

What is Cannabis - and what are the risks?

What is Cocaine - and what are the risks?

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LIVING WITH HIV


I just found out that I am HIV positive and I am filled with mixed emotions, is this normal?

I’m HIV positive but I am afraid to tell my friends, as they may abandon me, what should I do?

Where does the stigma and discrimination of HIV come from?

I have just found out I am HIV positive and am really scared, what should I do, and who should I talk to?

My brother has been HIV positive for 10 years and says that anti-HIV drugs don’t work for him, can this be true?

I am HIV positive. What advice can you give me to live well?

What are the three Rs?

What is CD4? And what do they measure?

How long does it take to go from HIV infection to a diagnosis of AIDS?

What is the treatment for HIV or AIDS?

What is Lipoatrophy?

I am HIV positive. What are some of the other diseases I could get?

My friend doesn’t want to deal with being HIV positive how can I advise her that follow-up counselling is necessary?

I’m HIV positive and I want to know if traditional healers and medicines are any good, to help with my virus?

How do I protect other people from my HIV?

I have always dreamed of having children, but I am HIV positive can I still have children?

Where can I find help in dealing with HIV?

Why is Food and Nutrition so important if you are HIV positive?

What are the reasons to have an HIV test?

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MEDIA ATTITUDES


Read what Kofi Anan has to say...

How powerful is media in relation to AIDS?

Can media help reduce the stigma of HIV and AIDS?

Does being a man mean having money and lots of women?

My friend always changes herself to be like the women on TV, is this right?

My friend is insecure because she thinks that she has to look a certain way for men to find her attractive?

I hate the way that women are portrayed in music videos; they form stereotypes and make women look like cheap and easily available for men.

My little brother looks up to people like 50 Cent as his role model. How can I tell him that he is not a good role model?

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