Getahun MG; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. C12015.
Ethiopia Red Cross Society, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
IssuesThe Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) - HIV/AIDS program has launched, in and out-of school peer-to-peer education in 20 branches to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS by empowering the youth through: provision of accurate, continuous, scientific and consistent information on HIV/AIDS and adolescent reproductive health. The program aims at helping youth increase their confidence, knowledge and skills in relation to their sexual development, to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS/STIs and unwanted pregnancies. The activities range from informal conversation to organized group sessions in the communities, youth clubs, schools or workplace. Description: Youth to youth peer education program is undertaken by training peer education facilitators at three cascading levels forming peer learning groups and providing appropriate attractions such as games. Implementing branches have two core facilitators who train peer facilitators who in turn conduct several rounds of training sessions for peer educators. Trained peer educators go back to their respective places establish peer-learning groups with 10 peer members. Lessons learnt: The model is acceptable and sustainable and works well in creating interest within the youth, involvement of young girls, parents and community leaders. The model served as a good instrument in fighting harmful social customs and practices that contribute to increased HIV/AIDS transmission. The youth to youth peer education program showed that young people need skills and information, to enable them make informed decisions about their sexual activity, negotiate safer sex and referrals for reproductive health services. Recommendations: Simplified data collection, analysis and reporting system and appropriate backstopping mechanisms are pre-requisites for the success of decentralized youth to youth per education.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Communication
- Counseling
- Ethiopia
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Planning Guidelines
- Humans
- Peer Group
- Red Cross
- Sexual Behavior
- Societies
- Teaching
- education
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102277481
From Meeting Abstracts