Workshop tackling HIV

Efforts are being made to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through improving communication and promoting behavioral action.{{more}}

A group of regional and local persons recently held a five-day HIV workshop to come up with draft communication plans to assist this initiative. The workshop was held at the Paradise Beach Hotel.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, May 10, 2010, Dr. Everal Hussein of the World Health Organisation, one of the facilitators of the workshop, explained that the spread of HIV/AIDS in various South African countries is due to lack of action.

Stating that 99 per cent of South Africans are aware of the ways in which HIV/AIDS is spread, Hussein noted that many do not practice what they know.

“The fact that they know doesn’t mean that they do,” Hussein said. He added that they are aiming to transfer knowledge into action which leads to the prevention of HIV.

Giving opening remarks, Roseclair Charles of the National Secretariat for HIV/AIDS stated that recorded figures show that a total of 1,162 persons have been infected with HIV/AIDS since the first case was recorded in 1984.

Charles noted that while the number may seem small to some, it still is a cause for concern.

“We cannot be complacent and rest on our laurels. We need to get serious and we need to organize ourselves if we are to make improvements in trying to prevent HIV/ AIDS,” Charles stated.

She noted that the programme is very timely as the carnival season has begun. “We know what happens during Carnival. We know the behaviour…” she said.

The workshop covered several topics, including communication and media works, marketing, interpersonal communication and counseling, marketing research and community mobilization.(OS)