THE IMPORTANCE OF HIV AND AIDS EDUCATION

THE IMPORTANCE OF HIV AND AIDS EDUCATION

By Nur Ramayanti

What is HIV/AIDS and What is HIV/AIDS education?

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is spread through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The most common method of transmission is unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-positive partner. Other routes include transfusions of HIV-infected blood or blood products; tissue or organ transplants; use of contaminated needles, syringes, or other skin-piercing equipment; and mother to- child transmission during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

There was 29,037 people  with HIV and 5,608 people with AIDS in Indonesia reported from January to Desember 2013 based on Directorate General of Centers for Disease Control and Enviromental Health, Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia. What a big problem. is not it ? Lets ask our selves. Can we help to reduce the spread of HIV or we can only stand watching this case increases from year to year?

If you ask me the same question, I will answer. Yes We Can. Nothing’s impossible. We can make it by educating people or by introducing HIV and AIDS education. In short words HIV and AIDS education is a weapon to explore public awareness of the dangers of HIV and AIDS.

Why is HIV and AIDS education important?

The expansion and improvement of HIV and AIDS education around the world is critical to prevent the spread of HIV. There are an estimated 34 million people living with the virus, and each year millions more people become infected. Effective HIV and AIDS education can help to prevent new infections by providing people with information about HIV and how it is passed on, and in doing so equip individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves from becoming infected.

HIV and AIDS education also plays a vital role in reducing stigma and discrimination. Around the world, there continues to be a great deal of fear and stigmatisation of people living with HIV, which is fuelled by misunderstanding and misinformation. This not only has a negative impact on people living with the virus, but can also fuel the spread of HIV by discouraging people from seeking testing and treatment.

Who needs HIV and AIDS education?

“AIDS affects many parts of society, and so everyone needs to be aware of HIV and AIDS.” HIV and AIDS education can be effective when targeted at specific groups who are particularly at risk of HIV infection. However, it is important that such a focus does not lead to groups who are considered not ‘at risk’ missing out on HIV and AIDS education. This can lead to a rise in HIV infection rates amongst groups who are often neglected by HIV and AIDS education.

Where does HIV and AIDS education take place?

HIV and AIDS education can take place in many different environments, from classes at school to families and friends sharing knowledge at home. It is important that this education is provided in a variety of settings to ensure that the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society are reached, and that accurate information about HIV and AIDS is reinforced from different sources.

How can HIV and AIDS education be delivered?

There are a great variety of methods and materials that can be used to educate people about HIV and AIDS, including radio & television, booklets, billboards, comic strips, street theatre, fundraising events and many more. The form in which HIV and AIDS education should be delivered depends on those who are being educated. In order to reach the target group, it needs to be considered which environments they will be most receptive in, and what media is most relevant to them. We can start by educating people about how to protect themselves; to understand the difference between HIV and AIDS; and helping to reduce discrimination. Other education strategies are intended to have more immediate effects, and may target people when they are most likely to take part in risky behaviour.

Now, I will tell you following questions that we have to take attention to before we educate people.

a.       What age are the people to be educated?

b.      Are the people to be educated already sexually aware?

c.       Have they been exposed to HIV and AIDS education before?

d.      What language or local dialect do they speak?

e.       Are there cultural issues to be considered? For example, attitudes to sexuality, or laws against portrayal of explicit images or language.

f.       Are people able to do what you're suggesting? There's no point in advising people to use condoms if none are available to them, or to use clean needles if needle exchanges are illegal.

What is needed?

This HIV and AIDS education needs to be supported by other prevention efforts such as providing condoms and clean injecting equipment, and making testing facilities available and accessible. In order to ensure that people are willing and able to turn the knowledge they gain from HIV and AIDS education into action, they need more than basic scientific facts. HIV and AIDS education needs to motivate people by making them aware that what they are learning is relevant to their lives. Empowerment is also crucial, as people must be in a position where they are able to take control of their sexual behaviour or methods of drug use.

So I invite you all. Let us give our knowledge and information about HIV and AIDS to our friends, family, neighbours, and to everyone who needs. For all my friends here. Remember, we will become the next health workers. Societies are now waiting for us to be together solve this HIV and AIDS case. One more time. Our knowledge or information about HIV and AIDS is powerful. So,lets use it to seve life, save our country, and save the wolrd.