Raising awareness of HIV among the general population, even in the cyclone ravaged Delta, does little to prevent HIV.
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Raising awareness means creating better life
10 July 09, Labutta - When it comes to HIV/AIDS, limited access to information can often lead to negative attitudes and opinions on the topic.
“I always thought AIDS and syphilis were the same thing, and it was for this reason, I never passed by the home of a syphilis sufferer because I was afraid the virus was floating in the atmosphere and could infect me. I also decided that if there was someone infected with HIV in my environment, I would always stay away from them,” said U San Lwin from Da Ni Chaung village, Kokko village tract.
U San Lwin wasn’t the only person who held these views.
“Nearly two-thirds of the delta population don’t have enough knowledge about HIV/AIDS,” said Daw Aye Aye Tha, HIV and Development Facilitator of UNDP’s Enhancing Capacity for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project.
“In general, most people think they know all there is to know about HIV/AIDS infection and prevention, but when we conducted an assessment of their knowledge, it soon became apparent there was a strong need to provide HIV/AIDS awareness training to the communities”, Daw Aye Aye Tha explained.
As a first step, in March 2009, the HIV/AIDS Project organized a community HIV education session in Labutta Township, inviting sixty participants (aged between 16 and 45) from ten villages. During the education session, the HIV and Development Facilitators provided information about infection and prevention of the disease, differences between HIV and AIDS, condom use and how to maintain health after infection.
Now with a deeper understanding of HIV/AIDS, U San Lwin admitted that his attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients had changed dramatically. He now shared information on what he had learnt from the education sessions with his relatives, neighbors and friends. He also distributed pamphlets, posters, books and condoms provided by the education program to his village and surrounding villages.
“Whenever I have the chance to share my knowledge and experiences with others, I do, but I avoid discussing the topic in a formal manner. Usually discussions are at the billiards station or a video hall. I think informal discussions are most effective for HIV/AIDS education,” U San Lwin said.
U Thet Zin, a friend of U San Lwin agreed to his words.
“Due to my friend sharing his experiences, I now know more about the disease and relay the knowledge I have gained to my family, especially to my 18 year old son,” he explained.
“I hope this kind of education encourages drug users and men who visit sex workers to change their habits and adopt preventative measures,” U Thet Zin continued.
But Ma Aye Aye Maw, one of the participants from Yae Wai Village, stated she had difficulties when attempting to educate women in her village about the transmission of the HIV virus through sexual intercourse. She said many thought it was shameful, since discussion about sexual behavior was less common amongst the village girls. After, she discussed the issue with her self-reliance group members, explaining HIV/AIDS and talking about it as a serious health issue.
Otherwise, Me Aye Aye Maw pointed out that HIV/AIDS was threatening most small villages in Labutta, since condoms were not easily available. Thus, she suggested that health organizations operating HIV/AIDS prevention projects should provide them with the adequate amounts of condoms.
UNDP will conduct similar Community Outreach Peer Education Training on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care in Bogalay, Mawlamyinegyun, Kyaiklat and Labutta.
http://www.mm.undp.org/NewsandPressreleases/NarNewsandPressreleases/10July.html
