AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #258 - Fighting stigma! 5 steps organisations can take to address needs of HIV positive youth in regular programming on SRHR and HIV prevention for youth
Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Miriam Groenhof - STOP AIDS NOW!
Additional Authors: MA Christon Zimbizi, MA Bertha Mukome,
Aim: Even though a serious decline in HIV prevalence is shown in Zimbabwe, the estimated prevalence among adults 15 years and above is still 14.3% and at least 1,187,822 adults and children are living with HIV and AIDS (2009). Although information on HIV is widely available, governments and programs often fail to meet the needs of HIV positive youth. Frequently Sexuality education programs only focus on HIV negative youth. However, also young people with HIV (YPLH) have a right to information and to learn about their sexual and reproductive health. Eight NGO’s in Zimbabwe, under management of African Regional Youth Initiative and Family Aids Caring Trust, together with, YPLH and STOP AIDS NOW! developed guidelines to provide practical information for programme officers working with youth on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and HIV prevention on ways to integrate the needs of YPLH within existing programs.
Method / Issue: STOP AIDS NOW! has linked eight NGO’s in Zimbabwe, all working on SRHR and HIV prevention for youth. A baseline study was conducted and identified individual and common needs and challenges. Based on the outcomes, organisations decided to develop practical guidelines. The linking and learning programme, and thus the development of the guidelines is guided and evaluated through applied research, by the University of Amsterdam, together with a local team of researchers.
Results / Comments: The guidelines provide a checklist which gives insights on area’s where improvement is advised. Related to the checklist are the 5 steps, these steps explain practical actions that can be done to address the needs YPLH. Some examples of each step: 1. Provide information and increase knowledge; on existing myths and misconceptions regarding HIV, Information on treatment options and nutrition. 2. Increase skills: communication skills and teach how to disclose status to a partner or managing stress and coping skills or skills how to have safe sex when being HIV positive. 3. Work on attitudes and beliefs: teach how to be aware of stigma and discrimination of PLHIV. Encourage young people to be confident/ 4 . Social and cultural influences: Promote the rights of youth on sexual reproductive health and include YPLHIV in programming and decision making. 5. Create a supportive environment: be familiar with available YPLHIV friendly policies. Create a supportive environment: friends, family, community. Create partnerships and linkages with other relevant organisations, such as: VCT, support groups, clinics and community centres. Programme officers who developed the guidelines, indicated to have changed their way of working due to their participation in the programme. They became more aware of the needs of YPLH and have changed their staff’s attitudes and some programs.
Discussion: Stigma and discrimination is fuelling the epidemic. Most often SRHR programmes focus on HIV negative youth, while needs of YPLH are neglected in these programmes. Can I have babies? Can I have a sexual relationship? Are important questions where also YPLH want to find answers to. When we keep on ‘forgetting’ to discuss needs of YPLH, we keep stigma and discrimination alive.
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