Prevention of HIV/AIDS among Young People in Bangladesh (GFATM)
| Coverage |
Chittagong Division |
| Duration |
2004 to 2009 |
Situation
In Bangladesh young people constitute about one fourth of the country's population, or 31.27 million. The fact that young people entail such a large part of Bangladesh shows they are significant in affecting the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines young people as covering the age group of 10 to 24. Those under 25 are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS due to many reasons. For example, the UNFPA found that one third of new curable STI cases were contracted by young people. Factors such as STIs and lack of knowledge leave young people unprotected and vulnerable to HIV transmission. To coordinate a strategic national response about the HIV and AIDS pandemic, YPSA was one of the NGOs chosen to address the challenge of opening dialogues and mainstreaming knowledge among young people.
Initiative
To implement the piloting phase of the program, three major strategies were used:
1. Life Skills Education
To establish support for the fight against HIV/AIDS, YPSA involves the community and creates links with youth by:
- Provision of workshops on HIV/AIDS for organizational leaders and peers involves the community and educates them about facts and figures of the disease
- Holding Experience sharing workshops
- Observing and attending youth events, such as National Youth Day, Friendship Cricket Tournament, Street Drama, etc.
2. Youth Friendly Health Services
Youth must have access to a safe environment where they can be tested or counseled without fear of societal judgment. YPSA does this by:
- Providing training for health service providers about giving youth a secure and healthy environment (e.g., doctors, nurses, paramedics)
- Setting up community meetings to open the dialogues about people's opinions on HIV/AIDS
- Launching youth friendly corners, with specific targets at places where young people gathered
3. Accessing Condoms for Youth
Safe sex practices enable youth to be protected against STIs, HIV and AIDS. Accessing condoms is an important strategy for prevention and this is accomplished by:
- Organizing gatekeeper meetings' and invited key figures in the community such as religious leaders, teachers, parents, etc. to participate in a dialogue about the importance of safe sex
- Holding workshops for young people about safe sex
Outcomes
The first phase of the project was completed in 2006. Its target was to reach and train 3600 young people; this goal was surpassed and YPSA trained 3669 young people! In addition, 900 young people attended an orientation about accessing condoms, and five Youth Friendly Health Services were launched. Wide media coverage was held about YPSA's efforts.
Currently the project attempts to reach more young people, and continues building the HIV/AIDS capacity of youth organizations. It has begun to expand to the Cox's Bazar District as well as Comilla with six other youth organizations, and seven health service providers. YPSA continues to meet the ongoing challenge of making HIV/AIDS a mainstream topic for all.
Supporting Organizations
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National AIDS and STD Program, Save the Children USA , and HIV/AIDS and STI Alliance in Bangladesh (HASAB)
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