15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10062)

Aragones Lopez C, Hernandez Rodriguez A
GPSIDA, Havana, Cuba

BACKGROUND: The Group of Prevention of AIDS from Havana was born in 1988, integrated mainly by PLWHA. At the beginnings there were done isolated activities, not part of a program. Once the members of the group were trained, they began to work by projects. The history of GPSIDA is rich in events to support the National AIDS Program and use it for the education of youth can contribute to avoid new infections. Our objectives were to design and implement an application about GPSIDA and to evaluate it with high school students in Havana.

METHODS: The proposal of gathering information about the work developed by GPSIDA, was carried out through a multimedia application. We studied the public, interviewed GPSIDA members, it was done a revision of 216 documents as well as 1000 pictures, was studied the methodology for multimedia products, it was programmed the application and it was validated with different groups. Were filmed 53 videos with testimonies. There were carried out, using the application, different activities related with HIV/AIDS and STDs in 6 high schools.

RESULTS: We count with an application related to the history and activities of GPSIDA. The product contains 219 pictures, animations, documents, 52 videos and poems. The youths that used the multimedia felt very sensitive with the treated issues and with PLWHA. They were motivated to learn more and interested into take it to other scenarios. They manifest that using it in the education about AIDS, helps to remember better the knowledge and stimulates them to learn.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings coincide with literature. This application promotes and acknowledges GPSIDA's work. It enriches the work done by other groups. It constitutes an important instrument in the education process and contributes to prepare new health promoters, people interested in working in prevention and formation of new groups. The application may be used by a wide range of users, it uses a friendly interface and it is very easy to handle.

040711
C10062

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