The Impact of Utilizing HIV-Positive Speakers in AIDS Education

Abstract

A longitudinal matched control study was conducted to evaluate the effects on young people (n = 1,280) of talks by HIV-positive speakers who disclose their personal perspective of living with HIV. Focus-group discussions with students (n = 117) were used to elucidate the impact. Meeting HIV-positive people decreased fear and prejudice, reinforced messages about protective behavior and increased the belief that HIV is preventable. Improved attitudes after talks by females remained significant over 3 months. Speakers changed perceptions, broke down stereotypes, and made students realize that anybody is vulnerable to infection. The speaker provided an anonymous, nonjudgmental person to whom young people could easily relate. They opened the doorway to discussions about AIDS. AIDS interventions must focus on recruiting, supporting and training young articulate HIV-positive people, particularly females, to deliver sex education to in- and out-of-school youths. HIV-positive speakers have an essential role to play in AIDS prevention and must be utilized appropriately.

AIDS-related stigma and attitudes towards AIDS-infected people among adolescents

“…This could indicate that these adolescents might have received school-based AIDS education and have practiced searching for information about health-related issues, like AIDS. Schools offer an advantageous setting because they are the only venue where almost all youth can be reached in a structured environment and because attitudes towards HIV-infected persons can potentially be integrated into the sexual health education and/or family life education programs in most schools (Samdal et al, 1998;Potsonen & Kontula, 1999;Siegel et al, 2001;Paxton, 2002). In order to be successful, it is likely that parents, peers, school and the community at large have to be involved in the process of creating opportunities to develop positive attitudes towards people living with AIDS.…”

Disclosure of HIV status between parents and children in Uganda in the context of greater access to treatment

“…Moreover, disclosure within families has been documented as essential for adherence to treatment regimes, mobilization of social support, and prevention of further HIV transmission (Bikaako-Kajura, Luyirika, Parcell, Downing, Kaharuza, Mermin, et al 2006;Chi-Ling & Johann-Liang 1999;MoH & ACP 2008;Paxton 2002;Rwemisisi, Wolff, Coutinho, Grosskurth & Whitworth 2008). HIV-positive persons who disclose their status to selected individuals can increase their access to social and material support, thereby improving both their psychological and physical health (Chesney & Smith 1999).…”

Desired Social Distance From People Who Have Hepatitis C Virus: An Exploration Among Staff in Health Care, Dentistry, Drug Treatment, and Tattoo/Body Piercing

“…Research on HCV addressing the effectiveness of Positive Speakers programs finds that audience members at such talks report a better understanding of people with HCV and increased compassion (Brener, Wilson, Rose, Mackenzie, & de Wit, 2012). Others have found that HIVpositive speakers decreased fear and prejudice among students (Paxton, 2002). In Our Voice is a well-tested knowledge-contact program which has been effective at addressing mental illness stigma (Pinto-Foltz, Logsdon, & Myers, 2011).…”