Many adults and young people in the Mayuge District of Eastern Uganda are learning HIV/AIDS prevention techniques as part of an Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) program.
Many adults and young people in the Mayuge District of Eastern Uganda are learning HIV/AIDS prevention techniques as part of an Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) program.
This HIV/AIDS curriculum is included in an adult literacy program and in health programs conducted in 30 schools. School health clubs, music, dance and drama groups have been formed in these schools with the sole purpose of disseminating information and advising on the control of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STI).
The curriculum teaches the importance of refraining from sex until marriage and remaining faithful to one partner. Other topics include safer sex and informed choice; how to discuss questions of sexuality with parents and teachers; how to recognize and deal with sexual urges; respect for oneself; and the importance of screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
“Parents also are given information on the importance of talking with their children regarding sexual matters and how to avoid getting AIDS,” says Joran Hansen, country director for ADRA Uganda. “This includes choosing a faithful partner and sticking to one and only one, and to practice safe sex if you choose to have more than one regular partner. Participants are taught that people with AIDS need love, care, understanding, and support.”
Since 1998, 34 instructors have been training 1,859 adult learners in 29 centers. More than 1,000 of these adult learners have taken their final tests.
From this group, 13 parents and 26 young people have been selected as “peer mobilizers” and have been trained in the control of sexually-transmitted infections. As a result of this effort, some 100 adolescents have been screened for STIs and about 1,000 young people are undergoing training and getting advice on HIV/AIDS/STI.
An internationally recognized non-governmental organization, ADRA is active in more than 120 nations and provides individual and community development and disaster relief. Additional information about ADRA can be found on its Web site at www.adra.org.
