It won't happen to me myth: alive and well.

The 2009 Female Nation Survey undertaken by women24 shows some really alarming statistics. You can look at the results of this survey here.

Most worrying is that 47% of the over 8000 women who responded NEVER use condoms when having sex. The majority of respondents to this survey were in the 25 to 34 years age group. South Africa's current statistics show that the HIV prevalence in that age group is around 23 and 39% for women, and between 12 and 23% for men.

The majority of respondents to this survey live in cities, and have access to the internet (that is how the survey was completed), and have a tertiary degree.

1 in 3 respondents to the survey had cheated on their partners, and almost 1 in 4 of them knew about their partner having an affair. It suggests a worrying trend of sexual behaviour that is not taking sexual health into consideration. his survey shows that the 'it won't happen to me' myth is alive and well.

I hope that women who responded to this survey read the results and become worried. We are responsible for our own sexual health and must continue to practice safe sex, whether with one partner, or multiple partners to ensure that HIV prevalence does not increase.