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.
