AEGiS-14IAC: South-South information sharing an underutilized approach in HIV/AIDS interventions.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

South-South information sharing an underutilized approach in HIV/AIDS interventions.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. LbPp2203)

Scott M
American Red Cross/International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Lilongwe, Malawi

ISSUES: as HIV/AIDS continues its worldwide spread, our response gains momentum. We still need to explore approaches that broaden capacity to transfer already-developed, successful interventions. We must revisit global thinking and explore new avenues of fighting the epidemic to save time and funds. One underutilized strategy is south-south information sharing where issues of taboos, women and sexual negotiation, condom acceptability and poverty require greater elaboration.

DESCRIPTION: Jamaica Red Cross, American Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross Societies in Southern Africa collaboration demonstrates south-south information transfer. This collaboration facilitated materials exchange and technical support from the Caribbean to Southern Africa, leading to establishment of Youth Peer Education programs across southern Africa. Program objectives are to prevent HIV infection among youth (6-25 years), and to reduce AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. Paper integrates practices of Caribbean Youth Peer Education programs, and shows truncated adaptations made for use in 10 Southern Africa countries. Design methods, training curriculum and material support are also examined.

ISSUES: Red Cross's global network of volunteers allows continuity and sustainability that is harder for non-indigenous organizations to achieve. Adaptation is necessary, but can be reduced through local understanding of the culture. Technical expertise is critical to this process. Other factors to success include networking with PLWHA associations, effective monitoring, games and interaction to facilitate learning, including community theatre for message reinforcement.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Continued support for program for at least 5 years. Replication of tried, tested and proven intervention strategies to save resources. Intervention strategies should ensure cultural appropriateness as project expands to other regions of Africa.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Condoms, Disease Outbreaks, Africa, Research, Poverty, Africa, Southern, Caribbean Region, Jamaica, Adolescent, Human, Female, Nursing

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