AEGiS-15IAC: Empowering peer educators amongst youths to create AIDS awareness.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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Empowering peer educators amongst youths to create AIDS awareness.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10404)

Kanny KS
Perak Family Planning Association, Ipoh, Perak State, Malaysia

ISSUES: Majority of youths in Malaysia still shy away when it comes to discussing issues concerning HIV/AIDS. Many still stigmatise people inflicted with this virus and do not want to be associated with them.

DESCRIPTION: In order to sensitize the youths, peer support groups have to be formed in schools and colleges. This group of youths will act as a peer educator and as a reference 'person' when youths are interested to know more about this virus/disease. Many youths of today are getting involved in unprotected sex. Recent talks in schools in Malaysia to adolescents on issues pertaining to Sexual Reproductive Health, have clearly shown that many adolescents are interested to know more about different forms of sex - orgy, bondage,homosexuality. Recent studies have shown many youths have engaged with these acts of sex - mainly through the wide internet connection and through peer's contacts. However, when questioned on the after effects of these acts, many are unable to example. Therefore, it is vital that there should be peer educators disseminating information about this issue and how unhealthy activities can also lead to being inflicted with the HIV virus if one is not aware of the repercussions of these activi ties.

LESSONS LEARNED: Continual training and equipping youth peer educators in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and care as well as social life skills is necessary and vital in sustaining a ripple effect of our young generation from being "contaminated" with the deadly virus.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Meaningful involvement of youth in peer counseling is critical in creating enabling environment for youths seeking to know more about this topic. It also creates a supportive environment for sharing and learning coping mechanisms.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Unsafe Sex, Peer Group, Counseling, Awareness, Virus Diseases, Reproductive Medicine, HIV Seropositivity, Health Planning Guidelines, Malaysia, Adolescent, Humans, Adolescence, education

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E10404

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.