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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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In addition to the ABC (abstain, be faithful and condomise) approach, YOHO added D, for do-it-yourself.

Vuyisile Otukile, of YOHO, told BOPA in an interview that the campaign came at a time when his organisation was developing behavioural change and communications information materials.

He said YOHO also carried out a research in 2003 using 300 interviewees. Its findings stated that 90 per cent of the respondents said that they had masturbated and found it one of the options that people could use to protect themselves from STDs and HIV/AIDS.

"The campaign of masturbation was well received by youth and they were excited by this new fresh approach," Otukile said.

Otukile however said more research on masturbation as an option to HIV/AIDS prevention is needed, adding that YOHO will soon produce a document to guide the practice.

For 26-year-old Theo Site, masturbation has been the answer against multiple partners. "At first I was a bit skeptical about what I was doing behind close doors and I used to feel guilty after doing it but now I am at peace with myself," she said.

She said that even though she is in a relationship, masturbating has helped her not to engage in sexual activities with men other than her partner who is based in another city.

Site said that her boyfriend does not know that she masturbates, adding that she is very comfortable with the practice and recommends it to the sexually active, especially the youth.

Her advice is that "masturbation can help in the fight against HIV/AIDS scourge as people will now have to do it solo to get sexual satisfaction rather than engaging in multiple sexual relationships".

Masturbation is described as a deliberate stimulation of ones own genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure.

It is a natural and harmless expression of sexuality and a good way of expressing sexual pleasure, not forgetting that it is a safer.

Dr Philip Opondo of Nyangabwe Referral Hospital said that masturbation is one of the healthiest and safest methods to use to relieve sexual tension and that it is almost like abstinence because there is no direct contact with a sexual partner.

Opondo noted that masturbation is risk-free as long as someone masturbates alone but there is a risk if it is done mutually with a partner.

He said chances of one contracting HIV infection are very slim, as long as there is no direct contact with someones fluids.

"Risks are high if one has a mutual masturbation with a partner as their fluids may have direct contact with each other," he said.

He added that majority of people have masturbated at one time or another but it is believed to be widespread among the youth.

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