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

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10031)

Ateka P, Adhiambo E, Odhiambo A
Community Focus Group, Nairobi, Kenya

ISSUES: the impact,the spread of HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination and the lack of adequate information are linked, there is evidence of this. Stigma and discrimination being the greatest barrier of HIV/AIDS response in terms of prevention,treatment,care and support, our social enviroment is polluted by this. Measures that incraese information and knowlege for communities especially to the youth serve as both preventive and care functions in HIV/AIDS management according to CFG, we analysed the use of theatre as a tool for disseminating information dispelling myths and tackling stigma and discrimintation of persons living with AIDS or the affected.

DESCRIPTION: ten groups of people in emabakasi were studied. the primary data was collected through personal interviews, semi structured disscussions and partcipatory workshops which included theatrical fun and games, passover story telling, poetry and drama. the information already aqquired by the participants was reviewed and the myths on the mode of trasmission of the virus dispelled and the likelihood of stigma analysedLessons learned and reccomendations: Theatre for development if adequately supported by the authorities concerned in developing countries can have geater benefits especially in the reduction of the rate of HIV/AIDS infection especially among the youth learning in a fun and interesting way hellps to do away with the "fear" of AIDS due to lack of information which hinders disclosures of ones HIV status to family friends and others and brings stigma and discrimination information disseminated using theatre is easilly commited to memory and so stigma and discrimination, which are the greatest barriers to HIV/AIDS response can be brought down and therefore great achievements can be made in prevention, treatment care and support of persons living with aids and hence few human rights violation.

040711
D10031

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