Olowu OO, Ademowo OJ; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. ThPeE8127.
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Background: About a third of those currently living with HIV/AIDS are aged 15-24. In many parts of the third world, the majority of new infections occur in young adults. The extent to which their rights are protected, the services and information they receive, and the behavioural actions of young people can help determine the quality of life of millions of people. Discrimination and HIV-related stigma are now widely realized as major obstacles to effectively fighting the epidemic in our communities. Motivated by these concerns, the Nigerian Humanist Students Society and Volunteer Initiatives implemented a series of training programs on HIV/AIDS; Human and Reproductive Health Rights. Methods: A participatory and bottom-up approach to human rights issues was included in the training module covering core themes as peer and public education, advocacy, care and support strategies for PLWHA. It informs and sensitizes about discrimination and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS affecting young people and provides an overview of activities youth organizations can undertake to respond to HIV/AIDS based discrimination. Results: In 2003, two 3-day training workshops were implemented in Nigeria providing 40 youth leaders with skills and knowledge on the links between human rights and HIV/AIDS, and action plans emerged on peer education, advocacy and stigma reducing campaigns. Conclusion It is pertinent that youth become actively involved, not only in limiting the spread of the disease but also in playing a role in protecting the rights of PLWHA. Similar training workshops are being scheduled to put young people at the center of action of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Demography
- Disease Outbreaks
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Planning
- Human Rights
- Humans
- Nigeria
- Organizations
- Peer Group
- Reproductive Medicine
- United States
- education
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102281884
From Meeting Abstracts