AIDS prevention needs trained awareness campaigners
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Anirudha Alam
A well-defined plan of action is needed to tackle the menace. Development of human resource to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) should get top priority. With awareness and motivation, the common people would be better prepared to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. Life skills training would enable the vulnerable people to avoid the risky practices. Motivation and training would keep people away from dowry, early marriage, polygamy, sexual violence and gender discrimination in personal, family and social life. Need-based human resource development would provide the trainers and motivators for the benefit of the vulnerable.
Training for human resource development is a key precondition for protecting the vulnerable from HIV/AIDS. At first, the volunteers and personnel to be engaged by development and networking organisations should be trained on how to develop and prepare action plans related to HIV/AIDS prevention. They need orientation on social issues that fuel HIV/AIDS vulnerability and cause, ill-health and malnutrition. The workforce should be able to provide public healthcare services using inter-personal communication. It would enhance the capacity so determine priority health risks and problems.
People in the Third World countries are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, because of lack of access to public health care information. Trained social workers can raise awareness about the dangerous consequence of HIV/AIDS. According to a survey on the 'Role of Human Resource Development in Preventing AIDS' done by Bangladesh Extension Education Services in 2008, the field workers, 90 per cent of whom has no comprehensive training, are unable to provide the needed HIV prevention service.
Studies done by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallayan Foundation in the urban areas of Dhaka district, show that by addressing one or two key social issues, the spread of HIV/AIDS can be effectively prevented. Especially, the vulnerable groups should be made aware of HIV/AIDS infection. Access to the latest information on how to keep away from HIV/AIDS infection should be ensured.
A deputy director and trainer BEES or Bangladesh Extension Education Services, the writer can be reached at E-mail: anirudhaalam@yahoo.com
A well-defined plan of action is needed to tackle the menace. Development of human resource to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) should get top priority. With awareness and motivation, the common people would be better prepared to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. Life skills training would enable the vulnerable people to avoid the risky practices. Motivation and training would keep people away from dowry, early marriage, polygamy, sexual violence and gender discrimination in personal, family and social life. Need-based human resource development would provide the trainers and motivators for the benefit of the vulnerable.
Training for human resource development is a key precondition for protecting the vulnerable from HIV/AIDS. At first, the volunteers and personnel to be engaged by development and networking organisations should be trained on how to develop and prepare action plans related to HIV/AIDS prevention. They need orientation on social issues that fuel HIV/AIDS vulnerability and cause, ill-health and malnutrition. The workforce should be able to provide public healthcare services using inter-personal communication. It would enhance the capacity so determine priority health risks and problems.
People in the Third World countries are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, because of lack of access to public health care information. Trained social workers can raise awareness about the dangerous consequence of HIV/AIDS. According to a survey on the 'Role of Human Resource Development in Preventing AIDS' done by Bangladesh Extension Education Services in 2008, the field workers, 90 per cent of whom has no comprehensive training, are unable to provide the needed HIV prevention service.
Studies done by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallayan Foundation in the urban areas of Dhaka district, show that by addressing one or two key social issues, the spread of HIV/AIDS can be effectively prevented. Especially, the vulnerable groups should be made aware of HIV/AIDS infection. Access to the latest information on how to keep away from HIV/AIDS infection should be ensured.
A deputy director and trainer BEES or Bangladesh Extension Education Services, the writer can be reached at E-mail: anirudhaalam@yahoo.com