Campaign against HIV/AIDS and other STIs

Community campain against HIV/AIDS and other STIs: 2004-2005

In Africa, as in the rest of the world, HIV/AIDS has existed for 20 years. In Burkina Faso, despite concentrated efforts here and there, largely by the National Council for the Struggle against AIDS (Conseil National de Lutte contre le SIDA - CNLS) through its National Programme against AIDS and NGOs, HIV/AIDS continues to devastate both the urban and rural populations. This problem is worsened by the influx of migrant workers from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.

The greatest victims of this catastrophic pandemic remain women and children. Unfortunately, these groups are generally the most dependent in our society, due to certain traditional and religious mentalities and also to antiquated practices such as female genital mutilation as well as levirate and forced marriages.

In fact, any serious effort against HIV/AIDS must be based on prevention. This can only result from a profound change in the mentality and behaviour of all concerned. Abstinence and the use of condoms are two available methods to avoid the transmission of the HIV virus during sexual contact. It is necessary that women are able to insist on this precaution by their male partner; it is also crucial that men are aware of this necessity and abstain from doubtful encounters.

To this effect, women and children need to be informed through appropriate and adequate training and awareness campaigns.

The task is a difficult one and also very delicate. This is especially true in the case of women, who are very much handicapped by tradition, custom, and religion in terms of their access to sexual education.

The task cannot be accomplished through existing and specialized healthcare institutions. It will require solidarity and the mobilization of all existing social organizations.

For this reason, APS, through its daily contact with women and children in rural areas, is trying to strengthen social well-being. Specifically, APS will work through women’s and youth groups by building awareness in as many people as possible in the provinces of Oubritenga, Kouritenga, Kadiogo, Ganzourgou, Passoré, and Sanmentenga.

Concrete actions, such as the community distribution of condoms, and the struggle for the acceptance of HIV positive individuals by others in the community, will fuel this campaign against HIV/AIDS and will further support those in need.

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Region

Province of Passoré
Department of Arbollé

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Areas of work

Awareness-building on the realities of HIV/AIDS
The social implications of health

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Objectives

Global objectives

Build awareness in the younger population of affected villages about preventative measures and the means of transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STIs
Promote the socio-sanitary development of those infected by AIDS

Specific objectives

Inform the population and encourage it to personally invest in the campagne for health and the struggle against HIV/AIDS and other STIs
Illustrate the campaign through written and visual supports
Vulgarize the condom and encourage the population to discuss themes relating to AIDS
Encourage dialog between men and women on the subject of HIV/AIDS and other STIs
De-stigmatize the illness
Support victims of AIDS at a social level (counseling and support)

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Execution strategies

The strategies adopted are based on the creation of a favourable environment to discourage the propagation of HIV/AIDS and other STIs and the empowerment of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

The improvement of the status of women and children by the vulgarization of a Code of Conduct created in light of the AIDS pandemic and the prevalence of other STIs
The instruction of women and young girls in the understanding of the risks of contraction of the HIV virus and other STIs
Awareness-building for men and young boys to take more responsibility in the face of the risks presented by HIV/AIDS
The empowerment of infected individuals in Centers for Health and Social Promotion (Centres de Santé et de Promotion Sociale - CSPS) by the medical staff

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Project activities and expected impacts

Start date: March 2004
End date: March 2005

Public conferences on health and AIDS
85% of the target population will have a better understanding of methods of transmission and prevention
Educational discussions / Health-AIDS
75% of those affected are motivated to contribute to the campaign
Health film screening
More than 50% or pertinent information is understood and memorized by the population
Medical care for AIDS and STIs
90% of infected persons are cared for medically
Training in preventative measures
Members of village groups are trained and are able to vulgarize and carry out measures to prevent HIV/AIDS and other STIs
Counselling and moral support
98% of infected and affected persons will benefit from counselling and moral support