AEGiS-15IAC: Reducing children's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and drugs in detention facilities in Thailand.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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Reducing children's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and drugs in detention facilities in Thailand.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. WeOrC1300)

Ireland E, Chaiphech N
Save the Children, Bangkok, Thailand

ISSUES: Between 1996 and 2000, the number of children in detention centres in Thailand increased from 23,500 to 35,439. In 2000 half of these were being detained as a result of drug-related offences. These figures highlight considerable potential for detention facilities to be used as a means of providing drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention services. Such potential, however, is rarely realised.

DESCRIPTION: To determine the role that detention facilities can play in HIV/AIDS and drug abuse prevention for detained children, Save the Children, UK conducted in 2001 a study of detention centres in Thailand. The aims of this study were to: Determine children's knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in relation to drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Inform HIV/AIDS experts and practitioners about the potential for working with a group of children that is particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

LESSONS LEARNED: Detention facilities are a vital, yet under-utilised, resource for ensuring children gain access to drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention work. Overcrowding in detention centres, however, seriously hampers the availability and effectiveness of these services. Detention centre staff can play a key role in supporting this work. To achieve this they need to be sensitised regarding their attitudes to children, and require ongoing training and support to deliver prevention work.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The value of detention centres as venues for drug abuse and HIV/AIDS education needs to recognised and efforts to provide effective training increased. Alternatives to incarceration for children should be considered, to reduce their risks of exposure to HIV/AIDS and drug abuse in detention facilities.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Thailand, Substance-Related Disorders, Health Education, Research, Child, Humans, organization & administration

040711
WeOrC1300

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