HIV/AIDS is not only a biomedical phenomenon but a
social reality rooted in human behavior. It is product of human actions in
social contexts. The actions and their circumstances are shaped by larger
cultural and social structures.
Therefore to have a significant impact on the epidemic, education
interventions must be rigorously designed according to best practices and
adapted to local needs.
Among the Indians, sexual norms are still to abide by
the life-long of monogamy, while, in most societies severely hit by the
HIV/AIDS epidemic, the norms have been 'change of partners'. Virginity before
marriage is still highly valued among most Indians and families have by and
large greater control over the behavior of children at least until they are
married and settled. However, with India's shift from a predominantly
agricultural, low subsistence and low consumption economy and a community based
social structure, to an industrially developing nation with urbanization;
migration and breakdown of rural economics, joint family system and
communities, there have been shifts in social values and world views. The
degree and nature of this impact has been varies across different sections. The
weakening controls have allowed grate individual freedom and releasing the
stifling controls on young people.
High consumption life-styles have raised aspirations
of others and increased the consumption gap between the top and bottom
sections. Along with the increasing value placed on material consumption, there
has also been an increase in perception of sexuality as a commodity to be
'consumed' for pleasure. The gap between material aspirations and socio-
economic status has led to distortions such as the spread of promiscuity,
corruption, growth of the Mafia, drug trafficking etc. All these factors have
also contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the sub-continent.
HIV Awareness and Family Education: WHY?
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS at the moment and no
vaccine for prevention. The only way for prevention is education and behavior
modification. There is a need for
professionally trained and skilled personnel certified by a competent authority
(like an institution of higher education) such as university. There is resistance from parents and teachers
to schools going for education on sensitive topics such as HIV/AIDS and sex
education. We need to create awareness, provide knowledge and skills so that
the trainers of trainees (TOTs) can skillfully handle such topics. What we
require today is to manage the illness through indigenously developed
prevention strategies and not relying on materials prepared for people
belonging to other social and cultural settings. There should be adequate
in-put in terms of our traditional cultural, social, moral and religious
values. There is stigma attached to the HIV/AIDS disease which forces the
infected to hide. Education with appropriate information will help people to
provide better home care and emotional support. There is lot of misconception,
misinformation and inaccurate information on the subject of HIV/AIDS. A
carefully planned curriculum will seek to provide accurate, complete and
authentic information on the subject. There is a demand for a formal programme
of study on these topics from those who are involved in work related to
HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and family crisis management.
Purposes of AIDS Awareness & Family Education
People should have the knowledge and skills needed for
healthy human relationships, effective communication, and responsible
decision-making behavior that will protect themselves and others from HIV/STD
infection and optimize health. The goals of AIDS programmes include promoting
behaviors that prevent the transmission of HIV/STD, fostering attitude and
behavior that will prevent discrimination against those who are infected with
HIV/STD, and promoting solidarity among them.
Everyone should:
* Understand the nature of HIV/AIDS/STDs and its
transmission.
* Understand the nature and consequences of substance
abuse.
* Have accurate and complete information about facts
of life.
* Develop appropriate communication skills for life.
* Make informed decisions about behavior that protect
them from HIV/AIDS/STDs and drug addiction.
* Understand the symptoms of HIV/AIDS/STDs and seek
appropriate medical care when needed.
* Value their own health and relationships free from
HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.
* Behave personally and socially in ways that
eliminate the risk of spreading HIV infection and becoming addict.
* Reject biased information and myths relating to
facts of life and HIV infection.
* Develop positive attitude towards those who are
infected with HIV and addicted to drugs.
* Increase the level of knowledge about the impact of
HIV/AIDS and substance abuse on the community, society, economy of the country
etc.
* Develop skills in initiating action-oriented
programmes for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse,
sensitizing people, initiating teaching, research and extension programmes etc.
* Develop modules and teaching aids for use at
grassroots level.
Who gets benefits from AIDS Awareness & Family
Education?
Teachers (schools, colleges and universities), Persons
Care workers with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Health Care workers
including physicians, nurses, hospital administrative staff and other
para-medicals, Personnel and welfare officers from corporate sectors; Young
people who are yet to get married; Newly married couples; College and
university students; Parents of adolescents; Workers in social and social
welfare institutions such as prisons, orphanages, rescue homes, hostels,
boarding houses, rehabilitation homes, etc.; People working among sex workers and street children; Staff
de-addiction centres; Legal officers; Religious leaders; Journalists and media
professionals; Persons employed in armed forces and Para-military personnel ;
People involved in counseling services for family, youth, drug addicts,
hospitals etc.
Role of Distance Education
The 6-months Certificate course in HIV and Family
Education (CAFÉ) and one year Diploma in HIV and Family Education (DAFE) of
IGNOU provides comprehensive knowledge about the what, why and how of the
problems of HIV/AIDS, how it can be prevented and controlled, and how to take
care of those who are already infected with HIV. To impart an integrated
understanding to learner about the crucial dimensions of the problems and issues
associated with HIV/AIDS, substance abuse (i.e. Abuse of alcohol and drugs) and
human behavior, also introduces the learner to the fundamental aspect of family
life education including sexual health education.
To
improve the awareness level, it is necessary to include the HIV and Family
Education subjects at school education level, at undergraduate / PG
studies. It can also be part of all
kind of training programmes organized by government agencies. This in turn will improve the situation and
save a lot of life. (The author is Regional Director of IGNOU, Regional Centre,
Port Blair and can be reached at rcportblair@ignou.ac.ipn (M-8900936718)
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