Grade 9 PPL10.

Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV

Lesson 1 - Grade 9
175 minutes in length

Overall Expectations:
C. 1. Demonstrate an understanding of factors that contribute to healthy development.

Specific Expectations:
C. 1.4 Describe the relative effectiveness of methods of preventing unintended
pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STI), including Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (e.g., avoiding oral,
vaginal and anal intercourse; delaying first sexual intercourse; using protection,
including barrier and hormonal methods to prevent unintended pregnancy; using
condoms and dental dams to protect against STIs), and identify sources of information
and support (e. g., doctor, nurse practitioner, public health unit, parents, credible and
accurate websites)

Learner Outcome:
Demonstrate an understanding of the factors affecting human sexuality that contribute
to healthy development and how it relates to themselves and others.

Explain the consequences of choices made related to sexual intimacy. This module will
examine aspects of healthy sexuality, responsible sexual behaviour, in addition to the
consequences associated with sexual activity.

Identify available information and support services related to sexually transmitted

infections.

Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

Materials:
1. PowerPoint Presentation: STI and HIV Lesson 1
2. Computer lab room or library room (optional)
3. Handouts:
1. STI PRE TEST
2. STI Review (Appendix 1)
3. Health Services Detective (optional)
4. Answer Keys:
1. STI PRE TEST
2. STI Review (Appendix 2)
3. Facts About’s (Provided by Durham Region Health Department)
4. Markers, poster boards

Introduction:
Learning about STIs helps students to be able to take care of their own bodies,
therefore preventing possible health problems and infertility associated with having an
STI. This lesson helps students define and learn about STIs including HIV/AIDS, as well
as describe symptoms, effects, treatments and prevention.

Approaches/Strategies:

Ground Rules (5 minutes)

Establishing ground rules helps to create an environment that fosters trust and comfort
for you and your students. Ground rules are most effective when they are discussed
before the session begins. The ground rules could be provided to each student
individually or posted in the classroom for review prior to the lesson commencing. Some
suggested ground rules could include:

• We have personal boundaries that must be respected

• We have the right to pass
• We have the right to our own beliefs and opinions
• We are responsible for our own learning
• Our questions or comments will be respected, taken seriously and kept private
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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

and confidential

Question Box (5-10 minutes)

Retrieve 1-2 questions from last lesson. Facilitate discussion with your class to review
concepts that may be unclear or require further clarification.

Defining STI and HIV (10 minutes)

Students will define STI and provide a rationale for learning about STIs including
HIV/AIDS. Students will meet these outlined objectives through class discussion around
the following questions:

1. How would you define the term “Sexually Transmitted Infection”

• STIs are infections spread predominantly by close sexual contact and/ or
sexual intercourse
• Inform students that the term “sexually transmitted infection” is a newer term
that they may hear when discussing what used to be referred to as a “sexually
transmitted disease” (STD).
2. Why is it important to learn about STIs?
• It helps one to take ownership of their own body and sexual practices
• It helps us to identify some of the common myths surrounding STIs which may
prevent sexually active individuals from using protection or seeking treatment.
These myths could include: “it’s easy to tell if a person has an STI because
he/she will look dirty or sick”.
• To obtain a better understanding of the consequences associated with
untreated STIs. Untreated STIs can lead to various health complications and
impact ones future ability to have children.
• Helps individuals establish a sense of comfort and confidence discussing STIs
with their partners.
3. STI can be viral, or bacterial/parasitic. What do those words mean?
• Viral: if a virus causes a disease, it is possible for it to remain “inactive” for
periods of time (meaning there are no symptoms). It is possible to have the
virus and not know it, and it is possible to pass it to another person without
either person knowing it. Viral STIs can be treated with medications, but
cannot be cured. A person infected with a viral STI will have that virus for life.
STIs that are viral in nature include Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis B and C, and genital herpes. There are vaccinations available to
protect against HPV and hepatitis B infections for both men and women, but
there are no vaccines to prevent HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, or genital herpes.

Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

• Bacterial/Parasitic: If bacteria or a parasite causes a disease, it needs to be

treated with antibiotics or antimicrobial medication. STIs that are bacterial
include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. STIs that are parasitic include
trichomoniasis, and pubic lice.
4. How do HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C differ from other STIs?
• HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C are blood borne infections caused by a virus.
• These viruses can be spread through: blood, blood products, saliva, semen,
vaginal fluid and can also be spread by sharing needles (e.g., injecting drugs,
tattooing, body piercing) or personal items (e.g., toothbrushes, razors,
manicure tools) with an infected person.
5. If you want to find out more about STIs, what sources can provide accurate
information?
• Sexual Health Clinics (Oshawa, Pickering, Port Perry)
• Health Care providers (Doctors office/walk in clinics)
• Teachers, counsellors or school nurses
• Credible websites/books/articles (durham.ca/sexual health)
• Community agencies (AIDS committee of Durham) Click below to view the
Sexual health Department website:
www.durham.ca/sexualhealth

STI Pre Test (20 minutes)

Students determine how much they know about STIs including HIV/AIDS and identify
knowledge gaps.

1. Distribute STI PRE TEST to students

2. Allow students time to complete the test. (5-10 min)
3. Take up the test together (using power point)

STI Review (40 minutes)

1. Divide class into small groups or pairs
2. Distribute the handout: STI REVIEW
3. Assign each group one of the STIs to research
4. Provide students with FACTS About handouts from Durham Region Sexual
Health Department.
Note: FACTS Abouts can be ordered using our resource order form using the link
below
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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

https://forms.durham.ca/Health-Care-Provider-Resources-and-Order-Form
5. Advise each group to make point form notes in the appropriate section of the
STI REVIEW handout.
6. Have groups present their STI to the class. Presentations should include
factual information but can be presented in a creative format (poster, role
play, etc.)
7. Encourage students to complete the appropriate sections of the STI REVIEW
during each peer presentation.
8. Refer to STI REVIEW ANSWER KEY to enhance in-class discussion.

Activity (Optional) - Health Services Detective

(5 min today, 30-40 min at home, and 5 min next class) or book computer lab or
library for in-class time to complete.

Students identify local resources where they could go to get testing and information
about STIs and HIV.

Keep in mind that all students do not live in a “traditional” family nor do they
have equal opportunities for open discussion within their “family.” Although it is
best for students to complete this assignment with a supportive parent or
guardian, it may not be possible. Be sensitive to the needs of your students.

1. Distribute the Health Services Detective handout. Review it with students.

2. Ask students to complete this assignment at home.
3. Debrief this activity next class as follows:
• Verify students completed the exercise
• As a class, create a list of clinics and community-based resources
4. Some further debriefing questions could include:
• What advice would you give someone who thought he/she had an STI?
• Which of the clinics we identified looks like a good place to go for support?

How would you get to the clinic or health care provider you have chosen if you needed
to go yourself or with a friend?

Question Box (5-10 minutes)

Retrieve 1-2 questions from last lesson. Facilitate discussion with your class to review
concepts that may be unclear or require further clarification.

Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

Self-Reflection
During the lesson, were:

• Ground rules being followed?

• Good practices established regarding group work and discussion? What will
you change for future classes with this group?

What will you change for future use of this lesson?

Student Assessment During this lesson, did students: Knowledge:

• Identify ways STIs including HIV/AIDS are spread?
• Examine symptoms, effects, treatments, prevention for common STI?

Skills:
• Examine thoughts and feelings about STIs including HIV/AIDS?

Attitudes:
• Did students accept the consequences of STIs and appreciate prevention?
• Did students support their friends or self if diagnosed with an STI?
• Did students identify available information and support services related to
sexually transmitted infections

Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

References:
Alberta Health and Wellness. (2000). STD; Teaching Outline and Resource
Guide. Retrieved from http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/STD-Teaching-
outline- guide.pdf

Alberta Health Services. (2013). Calm STI and HIV-Lesson-1. Retrieved from
http://teachers.teachingsexualhealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/CALM-STI-
Lesson1.pdf

Alberta Health Services. (2013). Calm STI and HIV Lesson 2. Retrieved from
http://teachers.teachingsexualhealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/CALM-STI-
Lesson2.pdf

Durham Region Health Department. (Current) STI Health Ed References

Durham Region Health Department. (Current) Facts Abouts

Public Health Agency of Canada. (January 2010). Canadian Guidelines on Sexually

Transmitted Infections. Ottawa. Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-
mts/sti- its/cgsti-ldcits/section-2eng.php#a1

Public Health Agency of Canada (September 2013). Sexually Transmitted

Infections (STI), Sexual health Facts and Information for the Public. Retrieved
from: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/faq-eng.php

Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

STI/HIV Pre Test

Check off whether the following statements are true or false.

1. You can catch an STI or HIV from door knobs, toilet seats, or fountains.
True False

2. Statistics show the largest number of people who have STIs are teenagers
and young adults.
True False

3. The symptoms of STIs are sometimes not noticed.

True False

4. When the symptoms of an STI go away, you don’t need to see a doctor.
True False

5. You can only have one STI at a time.

True False

6. There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting STIs.
True False

7. Once you have had an STI you cannot get the same one again.
True False

8. You cannot get an STI/HIV the first time you have sex.
True False

9. You can always tell if a person has an STI by looking at their genitals.
True False

10. Untreated STIs can cause sterility (inability to become or get someone
pregnant).
True False

11. Clean people are not likely to get an STI.

True False

12. People who choose abstinence will not get an STI.

True False
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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

13. All STIs can be cured.

True False

14. Condoms provide good protection from STIs/HIV.

True False

15. You can get HIV and AIDS by touching a person with AIDS.
True False

16. Anyone can get an STI/HIV.

True False

17. You are at a greater risk of getting STIs/HIV if you have many sexual partners.
True False

18. You can get an STI by sharing needles.

True False

19. Sexual intercourse is the only way to get an STI/HIV.

True False

20. The herpes virus causes cold sores.

True False

21. It is normal for women to have some vaginal discharge.

True False

22. Birth control pills provide protection against STIs/HIV.

True False

23. If you know your partner, you can’t get an STI/HIV.

True False

24. If an STI is caused by bacteria, it cannot be cured.

True False

25. There is a vaccine for HPV.

True False

Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

STI/HIV Pre Test Answer Key

Check off whether the following statements are true or false.

1. You can catch an STI or HIV from door knobs, toilet seats, or fountains
FALSE
• STIs are transmitted sexually, requiring sexual contact. Some STIs can be
transmitted through skin to skin contact.
• HIV can be transmitted through exchange of bodily fluids (semen, blood,
bodily fluids, and breast milk). This can occur during sexual contact without
a condom, as a result of blood transfusion, sharing needles or receiving a
body piercing or a tattoo from a place with poor infection control practices.
2. Statistics show the largest number of people who have STIs are
teenagers and young adults.
TRUE
• Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed and reported bacterial STI.
Rates have been steadily increasing in Canada since 1997.
• Most commonly affects young women aged 15–24 and young men aged
20–29.
• Durham region chlamydia rates for females can be viewed at:
https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-
wellness/resources/Documents/HealthInformationServices/HealthNeighbo
urhoods/Indicators/chlamydia_Female15-24.pdf
• The second most commonly diagnosed and reported bacterial STI in
Canada is gonorrhea.
• Gonorrhea commonly affects young women aged 15-24 and men aged 20–
29
3. The symptoms of STIs are sometimes not noticed.
TRUE
• Some STIs have few or no symptoms, or can lay dormant. For chlamydia
and gonorrhea infections, most females and some males will have no
symptoms.
4. When the symptoms of an STI go away, you don’t need to see a doctor.
FALSE
• No STI will go away without medical treatment. Symptoms may disappear,
but the virus or bacteria continues to cause damage and can also be
passed onto someone else.
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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

5. You can only have one STI at a time.

FALSE
• You can have more than one STI at a time.
6. There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting STIs.
TRUE
• You can abstain from sexual contact, use protective measures such as
male or female condoms or dental dams, communicate with your partner,
and choose to be mutually monogamous with an uninfected partner or a
partner who has had regular check-ups for HIV/STI.
7. Once you have had an STI you cannot get the same one again.
FALSE
• STIs can re-occur if you are re-exposed.
8. You cannot get an STI including HIV/AIDS the first time you have sex.
FALSE
• You can get an STI including HIV/AIDS as a result of any sexual contact.
9. You can always tell if a person has an STI by looking at their genitals.
FALSE
• Some STIs have no visible symptoms.
10. An untreated STI can cause sterility (inability to become or get someone
pregnant).
TRUE
• STIs can cause fertility issues in both males and females.
11. Clean people are not likely to get an STI.
FALSE
• Anyone can get an STI. Viruses and bacteria that cause STIs can exist in
a clean environment.
• STI germs can grow in the throat, mouth, genitals or anus and cannot be
eliminated using regular good hygiene.
12. People who choose abstinence will not get an STI.
TRUE
• If abstinence is defined as eliminating any intimate sexual behaviour
involving skin to genital, genital to genital or bodily fluid to genital contact,
then it will prevent STIs/HIV
• STIs can be passed through oral, anal, vaginal or with genital to skin

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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

contact.
13. All STIs can be cured.
FALSE
• Any STI caused by a virus can only be treated, not cured.
14. Condoms provide good protection from STIs/HIV.
TRUE
• If condoms are used properly and every time, they can provide good (but
not 100% effective) protection from STIs/HIV.
• Condoms do not provide 100% protection against the transmission of HPV
(genital warts) or herpes
15. You can get HIV and AIDS by touching a person with AIDS.
FALSE
• HIV and AIDS are transmitted when semen, vaginal secretions or blood
are exchanged through oral, anal or vaginal sex with a HIV infected
person. It is also spread through exposure to HIV infected blood (tattooing,
needle sharing or blood transfusion), and an infected mother can pass it to
her baby in utero or through her breast milk.
16. Anyone can get an STI/HIV.
TRUE
• If a person is sexually active, they can get an STI or HIV.
17. You are at a greater risk of getting an STI including HIV/AIDS if you have
many sexual partners.
TRUE
• The more sexual partners a person has, the more likely it is for that person
to get an STI including HIV/AIDS. However, it is possible to get an STI
including HIV/AIDS with only one partner.
18. You can get an STI by sharing needles.
TRUE
• Sharing needles places a person at risk for any blood borne disease, such
as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B or C.
19. Sexual intercourse is the only way to get STIs/HIV.
FALSE
• STIs can be spread in a variety of ways: during oral, anal, vaginal or
penetrative sex with a sex toy
• Skin to skin contact can transmit STIs caused by either a virus or parasite.
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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

These include syphilis, pubic lice, human papilloma virus (HPV) and
herpes sores.
• STIs are spread through direct contact with semen and/or vaginal fluid,
(e.g. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) and contact with blood (e.g. hepatitis B, C
and HIV).
20. The herpes virus causes cold sores.
TRUE
• There are different strains of the herpes simplex virus. Herpes can be
contracted through kissing someone with sores or having oral sex with
someone who has genital sores.
21. It is normal for women to have some vaginal discharge.
TRUE
• All women have some vaginal discharge. The amount and consistency will
vary throughout the menstrual cycle. An increase in vaginal discharge
could indicate a symptom of an STI.
22. Birth Control pills provide protection against STIs.
FALSE
• The birth control pill provides no protection against STIs including HIV.
They only protect against pregnancy.
23. If you know your partner, you can’t get an STI.
FALSE
• Your partner could have an STI without knowing it, or could be dishonest
24. If an STI is caused by bacteria, it cannot be cured.
FALSE
• An STI caused by bacteria can be cured with antibiotics.
25. There is a vaccine for HPV.
TRUE
• There are HPV vaccines available to both women and men that can be
obtained from family doctors, public health clinics and sexual health
clinics(Durham Region Sexual Health Clinics)

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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services
Grade 9 PPL10. Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Lesson 1

STI Review
Please refer to the attached handouts

1. STI Review (Appendix 1)

2. STI Review Answer Key (Appendix 2)

Be a Health Services Detective

Suppose your best friend believed he/she had an STI. Your friend decided to get
treatment and counselling. Where would you suggest your friend go for help? Fill out the
handout with information from a clinic in your community. If possible, ask your parent or
guardian for advice as to where to go.

1. Name of Clinic:
2. Address and phone number of clinic:
3. Clinic hours:
4. What is this clinic’s policy on confidentiality?
5. Would you visit this clinic for consultation or examination?
6. Which of the following services are available at this clinic?
o STI testing
o STI treatment
o HIV testing
o HIV counseling
o Condom distribution Birth Control
o Support groups
o Pregnancy tests
o Prenatal care
o Vaccines
o Other

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Lesson plan adapted and reproduced with permission of Alberta Health Services