AEGiS-13IAC: NLP-new tools for change in HIV/AIDS education: developments In South Africa and Ghana.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

NLP-new tools for change in HIV/AIDS education: developments In South Africa and Ghana.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:60 (abstract no.. LBPeD7106)

Price S, Ngobeni F, Mogale M, Laboudhere P
Potential Unlimited International, United Kingdom. Fax: +44 1869 351833, E-mail: Sallyjprice@aol.com.

ISSUES: Research reveals that although people are becoming more aware of the facts about HIV/AIDS, they still engage in high risk behaviour, and infection rates continue to rise. Motivations to change behaviour lie at the levels of personal beliefs, values and identity. HIV/AIDS Education needs to embrace all these inorder to effect change.

DESCRIPTION: This paper explores NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), and how NLP tools and techniques can be adapted and applied effectively in HIV/AIDS Education. NLP expands our understanding of human behaviour and how we interpret our world to create our own maps and realities. As it provides a fundamental approach to behaviour change, the potential for its use in HIV/AIDS is critical. In April 2000, trials of a training package using NLP techniques were carried out in Ghana with groups of street children, students and HIV/AIDS Educators. The trials were successful, leading to its incorporation into the National `Stop AIDS Love Life campaign.' In South Africa this training package, using further NLP techniques, have so far been trialed in partnership with Baragwanath Hospital, with groups of HIV/AIDS counsellors, Traditional Healers and Community Leaders.

CONCLUSIONS: These trials demonstrate the key role that NLP plays in Lifeskills and HIV/AIDS Education. The overall response by participants to NLP has been enthusiastic. Direct feedback states that it is both inspiring and empowering to use, and to pass on. It has proved easy to integrate into a wide range of different contexts, from one to one counselling to community programmes. Change occurs when people realise that they have the inner resources to create an attractive and compelling future for themselves; this in turn will impact on the way they behave, react and interact in their everyday lives. Integrating NLP in future HIV/AIDS Education programmes is therefore vital.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Health Education, HIV Seropositivity, Counseling, Students, Teaching, South Africa, Research, Ghana, Child, Human, prevention & control, AIDS
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