Sentamu PS, Mugume A, Nabiryo C; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. E10615.
The AIDS Support Organisation(TASO), Kampala, Uganda
Issues : The number of youth in & out of school infected and affected by HIV/AIDS grows by the minute yet media messages on sexual reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS information abound. Secondly, parents/guardians continue to disregard the needs of youth. Lastly, a big number of youth affected with the disease lack the psychosocial support to help them cope. Description : The AIDS Challenge Youth Club (ACYC) under the patronage of The AIDS Support Organization serves to increase the provision of HIV/AIDS information to youth in schools and communities through health talks, review meetings & radio & TV talk shows. ACYC also carries out home visits to child headed homes to offer physical and psychosocial support to orphans. TASO has equipped youth in schools & rural communities with peer education skills to empower them to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Lessons Learned : HIV/AIDS knowledge has been enhanced through peer education amongst students which has also contributed to behaviour change. Youth in schools acknowledge & appreciate the importance of provision of moral and psychosocial support to those affected and infected with HIV. Youth involvement in the planning process of youth programs greatly improves on the relationship between adults and young people. Youth-centred advocacy is crucial in promoting the free flow of sexual reproductive health information among the youth. On going peer support has reduced the levels of felt-stigma Recommendations : Youth need to be influenced by technology for access to information, and ability to communicate as they will be more knowledgeable. An interaction forum between parents& guardians & children on issues around HIV/AIDS ought to be instituted to harmonise parents' role and youth in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support programs for youth. Involvement of youth in rural communities in peer education to compliment efforts of existing youth service providers.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Behavior
- Child
- Counseling
- Foster Home Care
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Planning
- Health Planning Guidelines
- Humans
- Organizations
- Uganda
- education
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102278608
From Meeting Abstracts