AEGiS-15IAC: The use of persons living with HIV/AIDS (plwha's) for hiv education in Enugu state, Nigeria.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The use of persons living with HIV/AIDS (plwha's) for hiv education in Enugu state, Nigeria.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10366)

Nnaji I
Community Developement Co-ordinating Council, Enugu, Nigeria

ISSUES: HIV/AIDS education still remains one of the most effective ways of combating the spread of the infection since there is no known cure or effective vaccine for now. Despite the information a lot of misconception and misinformation still surrounds the infection. Because of these misinformation and ignorance, stigmatismation and discrimination is very common especially in the African society like Nigerian and Enugu State in particular. So on effective way of carrying our HIV/AIDS education is but the use of PLWHA's themselves.

DESCRIPTION: Life Line Plus Foundation in Enugu State of Nigeria is a support group of Plwha's which embarked on massive awareness raising campaign tagged "MEET THE PEOPLE". This awareness raising campaign was solely anchored by the Plwha's with little assistance from support staff. The programme covered schools, hospitals, villages and community center around the state. The impact it creates was so much as we witnessed for the first the largest turnout of people for such a programme. They were able to demystify the misconception/misinformation/myth people had about the infection and also about Plwha's. They succeeded in not only reducing the stigma and discrimination but also helped in assuring people that all hope was not lost when they test positive of Hiv. The aftermath of the campaign was an increase in the number of plwha's that identified with the support group.

LESSONS LEARNED: Using Plwha's for advocacy, sensitization / education/care and support has a far more reaching effect in helping people overcome fears of stigma and discrimination, accepting the information more easily while also providing support for those already infected. Recommendation: Plwha's should be given capacity building while international agencies should incorporate the activities of Plwha's in their work plan that will include capacity building so that they can effectively and efficiently carryout Hiv/Aids education.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Teaching, Health Education, Anti-HIV Agents, HIV Long-Term Survivors, Communication, Health Planning, Infection, Nigeria, United States, education, utilization

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