How many hot lines are there now? Are there quality assurance mechanisms for all of them? Are there meetings for all hot line staff to ensure that they are giving consistent answers to the most difficult questions about HIV?

What are there answers about tattoos and HIV? About head shaving and HIV? About the role of testing in reducing anxiety? About where antiretroviral treatment is available? About vaccines? Etc?

[him] moderator

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MMA launches two youth health hotlines
By Yamon Phu Thit
MM Times
Volume 31, No. 608
January 2 - 8, 2012

TELEPHONE hotlines that allow young people to anonymously ask questions about reproductive health have been established as part of the Myanmar Medical Association’s Youth Development Program, a spokesperson said last week.

The lines are manned by specially trained doctors from 10am to 5pm daily and young people are able to ask questions about topics such as HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. A “White Line” has been established for men, while women are encouraged to call the “Pink Line”.

A spokesperson from the Youth Development Program said it opened the hotlines last month because young people were often too embarrassed to ask questions about reproductive health during a face-to-face consultation.

“Young people don’t receive the right information if they aren’t able to ask for it openly,” Dr Aung Paing Khant said.

While callers can remain anonymous, they are required to give their age and township. “It will make it easier for us to refer them to clinics if we know their address,” he said. “Anyone can use the hotline freely but abusive language will not be tolerated.”

The White Line can be reached on 09-7321-2226 and the Pink Line 09-7321-2227.

http://www.mmtimes.com/2012/news/608/news60805.html