How badly do our youth need HIV prevention services?

HIV prevention is a topical issue for uninfected and positive young people. Knowledge and awareness of the of the magnitude of the problem among youth is essential if we are to successfully respond to the problem. The body is an excellent resource for supporting young people and those who care about them. Information on the knowledge and attitudes of young Jamaicans towards HIV/AIDS is also available online and can provide a wealth of information for practitioners who have responsibility for youth development.

Though Jamaica is nowhere near where it needs to be in addressing HIV prevention among young people, some ground work has been done. This is evidenced in the publication of the Policy handbook for schools, the national HIV/AIDS policy, among others. Check out the following report: Adolescent HIV prevention activities, Jamaica, which provides excellent information about the actions of national leaders in improving HIV prevention services for young people in Jamaica.

How much do you know about HIV?

I have asked myself this question several times, and have taken different quizzes and tests at different times since becoming conscious about HIV/AIDS. There are some great informational resources available online, which can help to increase your knowledge and awareness. Take this quiz and test how much you currently know about HIV.

Initiating Advocacy on HIV Prevention in Jamaica

The Jamaica Family Planning Association has embarked on advocacy to improve HIV prevention services for young people in Jamaica.

The decision to engage in advocacy to national leaders came out of recommendations from the Youth Symposium and Stakeholders Meeting held in May 2008 and the findings of the Jamaica Report Card on HIV Prevention for girls and young women published by the International Planned Parenthood Federation based in London.

Part of FamPlan’s advocacy strategy included the preparation and distribution of more than 40 advocacy letters to national leaders. Leaders were asked to facilitate a meeting with stakeholders of FamPlan in order to discuss the need for their support and personal involvement in improving HIV prevention services for young people. The letters were addressed to five distinct classification of national leaders: private organizations, foundations, national government, government agencies and departments, and not-for-profit organizations.

We believe that the timing of the HIV prevention advocacy project is quite opportune, because of the recent passing of the regional conference on HIV/AIDS held in Mexico, and we believe that through advocacy and collaboration of national leaders (through a working group) we will be able to strategically and effectively respond to and improve prevention services. You can peruse the advocacy letter and the attachments that were distributed to the national leaders by clicking on the following links:

Introductory Advocacy Letter to the Minister of Health

Youth Symposium Recommendations on HIV Prevention

Jamaica Report Card on HIV Prevention