Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2008
Patrick Opio
He was addressing about 400 students at a workshop held at Apac Primary School recently.
"Teachers should not shy away from talking to students about HIV/AIDS because students understand them better and heed their advice," Okunyu said.
The workshop was organised by Northern Uganda Malaria, AIDS and Tuberculosis (NUMAT), a non-governmental organisation.
Okunyu said the Presidential Initiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication to the Youth and the HIV/AIDS Sero-Behavioural Survey 2004-2005 booklets were helpful in the fight against the disease.
The booklets comprise creative and educative stories on HIV/AIDS. Salient features include how the disease is spread, child abuse, family breakups, stigma and discrimination against the infected and affected persons.
"I advise you to delay sex until you are ready and have tested your HIV status. AIDS is real and can hamper your dreams," he said. Okunyu said students, especially girls, should be assertive, enduring and make proper decisions in order to avoid contracting the disease.
NUMAT technical officer Martin Odipo urged teachers to be role models to the youngsters, saying this would help to prevent the spread of HIV.
He said the 69 participants who tested for HIV during the workshop were not infected.
Odipo said health workers, teachers and the public should tackle the psycho-social effects of HIV/AIDS on the youth. "Even authors have to use different skills to empower people infected and affected by HIV," Odipo advised.
He said the fight against HIV/AIDS includes collective efforts from parents, district and school leaders; with emphasis on school-based activities that communicate preventive messages.
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