15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10023)

Kengne KJ, Badibanga NS
Institution, Douala, Cameroon

ISSUES: Since the year 2000, my NGO with the technical support of UNICEF Cameroon has introduced Risk Mapping (The cartography of vulnerability), Life Skills and the Behavioural Analysis in the programme of education and prevention of youth from HIV/AIDS in extra-school environment.

DESCRIPTION: The analysis of the local maps showed various risky factors that expose young people to HIV/AIDS infection. Video-clubs, nightclubs, game houses... are attraction areas for them. They use churches and markets as areas of rendezvous. The result of the behavioural analysis shows that: the youths identify themselves to the project, own it and bring out from the risky factors they have identified the risky behaviours (unprotected sexual intercourse, bad dressing, earlier sexual relations...) that they need to change to be healthy. Through Life skills, they identify which positive behaviours to promote or to develop. They also observe in their environment the very important leaders and institutions that can help them to achieve the desired positive behaviours. Five operational and strategic points for the development and the setting of the programme are proposed to achieve these results: the development of a basic infrastructure the development of the coverage the development of activities the improvement of existing services the promotion of human resources. Lesson learned: These three tools are life instrument that enables young people to feel very concerned by the HIV/AIDS problem, to be aware of it, to be motivated for the change of behaviour and finally to decide efficiently by themselves how to solve the problems they meet.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Finally, we have noticed that the skills promoted are very efficient in the prevention of HIV/AIDS among young people. We suggest that this experience be tried in many countries.

040711
E10023

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