1. HIV/AIDS Prevention Through Schools
Issues and Challenges
Dr S.K. CHATURVEDI

2. The epidemic - its changing focus Lessons from what ‘works’
Summary of Contents
5 topics:
The epidemic - its changing focus
Lessons from what ‘works’
Goals for 2005
School HIV prevention - Issues &Challenges
UNICEF as partner

3. In 7 countries, more than 20% of all adults are infected with HIV
Evolution of the epidemic
Main focus still on Africa
In 7 countries, more than 20% of all adults are infected with HIV
15 – 39%
5 – 15%
1 – 5%
0.5 – 1.0%
0.1 – 0.5%
0.0 – 0.1%
not available
HIV prevalence in adults, end 2001

4. But HIV Prevalence is increasing rapidly in Asia
Evolution of the epidemic
But HIV Prevalence is increasing rapidly in Asia

5. Evolution of the epidemic
Over 6 million people in Asia are now living with HIV/AIDS

6. Lessons learned Effective national response can make a difference
Source: UNAIDS/WHO

8. High level political support for a multisectoral response
Lessons learned
What are the ‘common’ success factors?
High level political support for a multisectoral response
Decentralised planning:  for interventions with general populations and key target groups
Interventions addressing women and youth, stigma and discrimination
Accessible Voluntary counselling

9. Impact of school HIV education
Source: AMREF 2001

10. UNGASS goal for Young People
By 2005,
90% of young people yrs have
meaningful access to the information,
education, and services needed to protect
themselves from HIV/AIDS

11. Young People Today
Half of all new infections between yrs
Young people are having sex, yet don’t know how to protect themselves from HIV
Well over 50% of young people yrs have serious misconceptions about HIV
Risk behaviors are practiced partly as a result of misinformation (or lack of information)

12. What do we know ….
Effective school-based programmes can influence key vulnerability factors
Being in school itself reduces vulnerability
Programmes that advise only abstinence have not been shown to be effective in behaviour change
Coverage remains low
Interventions remain information-driven - not skill-based
Few genuinely participatory
Yet despite this,
Well implemented school-based programmes can influence key HIV/AIDS risk factors and conditions

13. Do school based sexuality programmes lead teenagers to have sex?
Important to remind ourselves that…. …HIV education helps prepare young people for life
But 3 questions :
Do school based sexuality programmes lead teenagers to have sex?
What makes a school based education programme successful?
At what age should school based programmes about sexuality begin?

14. Does school-based sexuality education lead adolescents to have sex?
2 most comprehensive recent reviews (WHO, Kirby 2001)
Most programmes evaluated did not lead to initiation of sexual relations, or increase in sexual activity
A number led to postponement of first sex

15. What makes a school-based programme successful?
A clear consistent message based on accurate information
Focuses on reducing one or more specific risk behaviours
Uses teaching methods that involve students, are skill-based and use real life situations
Motivates and trains teachers to participate
Lasts sufficient time

16. At what age should school based programmes begin?
As yet, no clear answers, but research suggests ...
programmes should begin at an early age
instilling positive norms is easier if behavioural patterns have not yet been formed
impact greater if education takes place before student becomes sexually active rather than after

17. So, to achieve our national goals - what do we need?
Bring greater political support behind school HIV initiatives
A scaled up response
Synergies between education and health
Leadership by Education Departments
More resources for school- HIV efforts
Schools as an opportunity for reaching young people in the community

18. How to support the National Program
Ensuring school AIDS education is a priority intervention for all young people
Reinforcing ‘quality’ in scaled-up interventions
Bringing young people into the picture-helping their ideas shape the content
Facilitating social mobilization with teachers /parents/community
Supporting partnerships