Int'l body launches HIV/AIDS education programme
By Shirley Thomas
Guyana Chronicle
July 30, 2003
As the United States Agency for International Development /Guyana continues to support the Government of Guyana to mount a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic here, that body on Monday, through its key implementing partners -Population Services International (PSI), launched a novel condom marketing and education programme in the city.
Contrary to common belief, encouraging the use of condoms, does not necessarily mean advocating promiscuity, or a 'licence' for young people to engage in early sexual activity, as the media found out at the Monday's launching ceremony.
Rather, PSI/Guyana, with offices at 228 Almond Street, Queenstown will develop and implement a social marketing project that is aimed, not only at the marketing of 'affordable' condoms, but will also address and promote behaviour change among other things.
Speaking at the ceremony to launch PSI/Guyana, Mission Director, USAID/Guyana, Dr. Mike Sarhan said: "Today we are excited about welcoming and introducing the media to one of USAID/Guyana's key implementing partners, Population Services International PSI."
Peer Educators - Youth AIDS at the launching of PSI at the Almond Street Offices. Standing in background is Ms. Danielle Ross, Behaviour Change Co-ordinator. Seated second from left in second row is Ms. Desiree Edghill, Executive Director, Artistes in Direct Support.
Peer Educators - Youth AIDS at the launching of PSI at the Almond Street Offices. Standing in background is Ms. Danielle Ross, Behaviour Change Co-ordinator. Seated second from left in second row is Ms. Desiree Edghill, Executive Director, Artistes in Direct Support.
Dr. Sarhan, in outlining how the organization will work here, stated: "In Guyana, PSI will develop and implement a social marketing project that is multi-pronged and comprehensive. It is designed to improve sexual health among high-risk groups by increasing self-risk perception and effective risk management, while ensuring widespread access to affordable condoms throughout the country.
Ultimately, he said, these efforts will encourage healthier behaviours, and help promote the delay of sexual activities, especially among young people. Dr. Sarhan also stressed that, "It should also encourage everyone to limit the number of sexual partners, and where appropriate, consistent condom use."
The project will employ a multi-pronged behaviour change approach, Dr. Sarhan said - one, which includes messages of abstinence, fidelity and condom use - the ABC Approach - (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condomise).
And cognizant that youths are a part of the solution to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, PSI, in mounting its promotion, has involved a group of Peer Educators - Youth AIDS who have already produced seven skits to be used in promoting the project.
Objectives of the project which run in concurrence with some of the goals outlined in Government's National Strategic Plan 2002-2003, include strengthening the risk reduction efforts and helping the country to meet the following three indicators:
** target communications encouraging change in risky behaviours designed and implemented
** make condoms more easily accessible in all regions
** target behaviour intervention for vulnerable groups designed and implemented
PSI Country Director, Mr. John Harrif, commenting on the impact of PSI in stemming the tide of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, recalled that last year, through social marketing, over 350,000 cases of new HIV infections were averted. He said that since in Guyana, it is the young people, more than anyone else who are affected by the virus, it is the intention of PSI/Guyana to help the young people learn those things they need to know.
Very crucial will be the changing of a lot of people's mindset - getting them to accept the need to use the condom. Noting that merely talking about the use of condoms with young people can be difficult, he added, "Don't let anybody tell you its easy, but we'll try to work around those issues, making it as painless as possible."
PSI will be working closely with the National AIDS Programme, UNAIDS theme Group, local Non-Governmental Organizations, other institutions and the media, to coordinate project activities and compliment initiatives already underway, so as to avoid duplication of effort and maximize project impact the USAID Director pointed out.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ms. Sonia Roopnauth, in endorsing the project, thanked USAID for its intervention, and complimented the approach to marketing, which incorporates education and behaviour change among other things.
Population Services International is a Washington D.C-based non-profit organization, working in more than 60 countries, with over 4,000 employees, and placing great emphasis on AIDS prevention, family planning, and maternal and child health.
