Throughout the world today young people are one of the groups
most vulnerable to the AIDS epidemic. At present, it is estimated that about
half of all new infections with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) occur in young
people under 25 years old. It has, therefore, become increasingly apparent that
this group is the most important target in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.
But despite their vulnerability, young people are also a force
for fighting the epidemic. When provided with the appropriate information and
necessary life skills, young people show a remarkable capacity to adopt safer
behaviour. They are also highly motivated and enthusiastic about participating
in programmes that give them responsibility for themselves and their peers.
Respect for their rights and partnership with adults have proven to be a key for
success in setting up health promotion programmes aimed at young people. This
manual has been developed to give guidelines and ideas for action.
Who is this manual for?
For you, young people working with groups of your own age, to
help you set up an effective HIV/AIDS health promotion programme.
However, the manual is also useful for anyone working with young
people to improve their health and life skills.
What is the purpose of the manual?
The different sections of this manual are designed to:
provide information about
HIV/AIDS and the impact of the epidemic;
help you deal with your own worries and
concerns related to HIV/AIDS and other STD, and prepare your role as an
educator;
suggest a method for planning and
evaluating an HIV/STD health promotion programme for your youth group;
present activities you can try with young
people to help them make healthier and safer life choices; and
give ideas for community projects related
to HIV/STD health promotion that can be carried out by young people in your
group and/or community.
How should you use this manual?
The manual must be considered as a generic one. It offers a
resource package for educational activities with young people. But young people
are not a homogenous group – the way they live varies according to their
socio-economic class, their level of education, their religious background,
their place of residence, etc. These activities may not all be suitable for the
youth group you work with or for your culture. The purpose is to make your
choice among them and – if necessary – adapt them, for example, by
rewriting a case study and using local names or local situations. If you wish to
translate sections of this manual into your local language, you are most welcome
to do so.
The educational activities are aimed at young people in their
mid-teens and older. The material can be used if you work with young people aged
15 or under, but it will need careful review and adaptation.
The manual contains scientific terms and some words you may not
be familiar with. When used for the first time in the text, these terms are
written in italic, which means you can find an explanation in the glossary on
page 173, unless the term is explained immediately in the
text.
