1. SALUD Abstract no. A-240-0399-11379 Poster no. MOPDX106 Regional actions in Latin America and the Caribbean on the follow up of the Ministerial Declaration "Preventing through Education": Progress report August 2008-December 2009 Authors: H. Sucilla Pérez 1, J.A. Izazola Licea 1, H. Pérez Vázquez 1, B. Mayén Hernández 2, N. Díaz Pardo 1, C. García de León 1 1 National Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control of, Mexico D.F., Mexico, 2 AFLUENTES S.C., Mexico D.F., Mexico

2. SALUD BACKGROUND MoH & MoE: 31 LAC countries approved Declaration “Preventing through Education” (MDPE). Joint commitments (MoH & MoE): HIV prevention (children, adolescents & youth), comprehensive sex education & sexual and reproductive health. CENSIDA elaborated a regional inventory (report) of LAC countries’ actions: UNFPA support. METHODS All countries that approved MDPE were requested to participate. Only 17 (16 Spanish spoken and 1 Portuguese spoken) collaborated. Tool designed: collect information. Sent to MoH (NAP) & MoE. Report considers realized actions since Aug, 2008 to Nov, 2009. MoH (NAP) and MoE appointed a responsible person: data collecting.

3. SALUD Results 1 Supporter factors:: funding from international agencies (UN) (100%), planning mechanisms of MoE & MoH (94% and 88% respectively). Obstacles: economic and financial conditions (71%), geographical & cultural conditions (59%); & political context (19%) Llimited budget; cultural differences (population), influence of some religions; “sexuality” related issues could not be convenient (politicians and decision makers), limited involvement of legislators. 100% of countries: HIV prevention strategies & coordinated actions with NGO's, ICA (UN) & academic sector. Only 10 countries: researched (diagnose needs of children, adolescent and youth). 13 countries realized changes in laws, norms and regulations related to MDPE issues.. 1,117 trainings & courses were offered in the region, mainly for health care and education workers 654 delivered by academic institutions; and 301 by MoH. 18% & 6% of the countries’ MoH were offering access to condoms (m & f) exclusively for youth population. Children & adolescents have not access to condoms through the MoH

4. SALUD Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia and Costa Rica: MoE evaluated educational curricula. 11 contries diffused MDPE contents in a total of 97 events: 28% political commemorations, 26% congresses, 23% workshops, 15% work meetings, 5% forum y el 3% seminars. 9 countries created or improved official or formal joint planning structures between both Ministries. 9 countries provided information related to HIV tests and services at middle school level. Countries were not providing information about condoms: primary education level. Mexico and El Salvador developed tools for monitoring adolescents and youth access to comprehensive HS, including HIV/AIDS; and SRH. Health cards. Results 2

5. SALUD Conclusions MDPE has not been enough socialized. Transitions and substitutions of decision makers and managers have affected the implementation and diffusion of contents. Political, social, cultural and economic factors: not the best to position CSE on the public health and public education policy agenda There's an imperative need of the establishment of a CSE Department in the structure of the MoE in most of the LAC countries. It looks like MoH still being the most involved sector in this kind of issues. During this period MoE actions were most focused on teachers training. MoH implemented more different kind of actions (training, improvement-services…) CSE and promotion of SRH strategies based on scientific evidence must not be related with cultural and religious beliefs or political processes. Countries must develop a M&E tools based on the contents of the MDPE Children, adolescents and youth that unfortunately have not access to education and health services, or those who receive non-formal education still representing a big challenge. Governments must allocate specific resources to MDPE in order to attend in a sustainable & effective way the acquired commitments trough MDPE. MoH & MoE must increase collaboration with SCO (NGO) and other partners.