AEGiS-15IAC: Revival of local traditional practices to support older people affected by HIV/AIDS in northern Thailand: The case of Phee Poo Ya.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Revival of local traditional practices to support older people affected by HIV/AIDS in northern Thailand: The case of Phee Poo Ya.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. MoOrD1093)

Duangdeetaweerat A
HelpAge International, Chiang Mai, Thailand

ISSUES: When HIV/AIDS invades families, older people are adversely affected in several ways. Frequently they become the main carers of adult children with HIV/AIDS and orphans, and are economically, physically and emotionally devastated. They are deprived of the support expected from adult children in old age. The caring role is reversed due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

DESCRIPTION: This study aims to revive the forgotten local traditional and cultural practices and beliefs, and use them to support community responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Based on the concept of Cultural Reproduction, participatory action research methods were used to ensure high community participation in decision making in the selection of specific practices and belief, and the process for revival.

LESSONS LEARNED: The study indicates that, in the past, the life of local people in northern Thailand was highly influenced by -Phee Poo Ya-, a local traditional belief related to relatives who had died. It had a vital role in strengthening the bond and support in families and in clans. The value of this local traditional belief can be modified and developed as a local mechanism in supporting older people and children affected by HIV/AIDS to cope with burdens and hardship imposed on them, as well as in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment in communities.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Phee Poo Ya had been practiced for many generations, is cost effective, locally accessible and manageable. It has high potential for community development work as one form of local traditional media in responding to HIV/AIDS issues in communities for the community, of the community and by the community. Utilisation of this particular local traditional value in development work has to take local context into consideration.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Thailand, HIV Infections, Demography, Health Services, Consumer Participation, Health Planning Guidelines, Residence Characteristics, Disease Outbreaks, Family Characteristics, Social Change, Health Services Research, Adult, Child, economics

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MoOrD1093