HIV, AIDS AND OTHER PANDEMICS

INTRODUCTION TO HIV AND AIDS

MEANING OF HIV AND AIDS
FACTS, MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTION ABOUT HIV AND AIDS
IMPACT OF HIV AND AIDS IN VARIOUS SECTORS

MODES OF TRANSMISSION OF STI AND HIV AND AIDS

MODE OF TRANSMISSION OF HIV AND AIDS AND STIS
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIV AND AIDS AND STIS
PRACTICE AND BELIEFS THAT PROMOTE THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS

EFFECTS OF HIV AND AIDS TO IMMUNE SYSTEM

MEANING OF BODY IMMUNITY
EFFECTS OF HIV AND AIDS ON BODY IMMUNE SYSTEM

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF HIV AND AIDS

HIV AND AIDS SITUATION ANALYSIS
EFFECTS OF HIV AND AIDS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF HIV AND AIDS

WAYS OF PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS
SKILLS IN PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF HIV AND AIDS
ACTIVITIES AIMED AT PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL OF SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS

HIV AND AIDS MANAGEMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT OF INFECTED

AND AFFECTED
WAYS OF CARE AND SUPPORT OF INFECTED AND AFFECTED
ATTITUDE TOWARDS PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS (PLWAS)
CARE AND SUPPORT OF PLWAS
HOME BASED CARE
WAYS OF MANAGING HIV AND AIDS

COMMUNICATION OF HIV AND AIDS ISSUES

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON HIV AND AIDS
SKILLS IN COUNSELING THE INFECTED AND THE AFFECTED
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ON ISSUES RELATED TO HIV AND AIDS IN THE
COMMUNITY

COMMON DISEASES
TYPES OF COMMON DISEASES
CAUSES OF COMMON DISEASES
IMPACT OF DISEASES ON DEVELOPMENT
INTERVENTION MEASURES ON COMMON DISEASES

GENDER AND HIV AND AIDS

CONCEPT OF GENDER AND HIV AND AIDS
WOMEN VULNERABILITY
WOMEN CONTRIBUTION TO FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND AIDS

HIV AND AIDS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HIGH LEVEL OF HIV AND AIDS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
WAYS OF REVERSING THE SITUATION

GROUPS MOST AFFECTED BY HIV AND AIDS

VARIOUS GROUPS MOST AFFECTED BY HIV AND AIDS
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HIGH VULNERABILITY AMONG THESE GROUPS

HIV AND AIDS COUNSELING

HIV AND AIDS COUNSELING
HIV AND AIDS TESTING
PRE-TESTING COUNSELING
POST TESTING COUNSELING
ONGOING COUNSELING

ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN FIGHTING AGAINST HIV AND AIDS

IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS
ROLE OF THE STAKEHOLDERS IN FIGHTING
HIV AND AIDS

EMERGING TRENDS IN HIV AND AIDS

EMERGING TRENDS IN HIV AND AIDS

TOPIC I: INTRODUCTION TO HIV AND AIDS

Meaning of HIV and AIDS

(a).
HIV
H – Human. This virus is only found in human beings and not in other animals or insects. It is
passed from one person to another. The harm done to the human body is so great.
HIV is sometimes known as AIDS virus or Retro virus.
I – means immune deficiency. The virus weakens the body’s ability to fight other diseases /
infections. The HIV virus weakens the body’s defense mechanism and prevents the body from
fighting other diseases.
The virus attacks and slowly destroys the immune system; it enters and destroys the important
cells which control and support the immune systems e.g. the CD4 receptors.
V – Virus. These are tiny germs that require very powerful microscope to see.

(b). AIDS
A – means Acquired i.e. the virus is caught from some one else who already has it then it enters
the body and begins to work down the number of CD cells / immune system.
I – immune; i.e. relating to the body defence systems (immune system)
D – Deficiency; immune system is weakened and becomes deficient i.e. it fails to do its work i.e.
to protect the body from diseases.
S – Syndrome; i.e. variety of different symptoms and illnesses. The grouping of well recognized
illnesses connected with AIDS makes AIDS a syndrome.
AIDS is caused by extremely tiny germs known ass HIV, the virus can be seen with naked eye
and its presence may only be known through testing i.e. most people who are infected by the
virus may go about infecting others knowingly or unknowingly.
Note:
Remember many other diseases have similar characteristics as AIDS.
A sign is what you can see as a result of a disease in a person e.g. skin rash, paleness of the body
etc.
Symptoms are conditions that you cannot see but a person suffering will feel or tell you e.g.
pain, body fatigue etc.
Facts, myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS
Different individuals hold different views about HIV and AIDS. These views vary from one
place to another in Africa.
Traditional Africa view about AIDS illness
1. It is seen as an illness resulting from breaking of spiritual and or temporary relationship
2. AIDS illness is almost always impost on one by another e.g. through witchcraft
3. AIDS is seen
Facts
Facts about HIV / AIDS have been scientifically proven since the discovery of the disease since
1980’s. The facts are:-
1. HIV/AIDS is not a disease in itself but it is not a debilitating condition resulting from
opportunistic condition
2. HIV/AIDS is real in human beings
3. AIDS kills
4. AIDS has no cure
5. It is spread from one person to another
N/B: AIDS kills within 6 months - 15 years depending on ones nutrition, activity, social
placement, immunity etc.
Myths and misconceptions
1. AIDS is a disease resulting from breaking traditional and spiritual laws
2. AIDS is witch craft
3. AIDS is caused by evil spirits
4. It is a misfortune on people who are persistently disobedient
5. It is tragic consequence of diversion from social norms
6. It is a punishment from the evil spirits fro breaking rules or committing abomination e.g.
incest
7. AIDS is a curse
8. Some people believe that AIDS is cured by witchdoctors
9. You sleep with a virgin then you are healed
10. You drink your won urine
11. It can be cured through local herbs
Biblical issues on HIV / AIDS
 Some religions regard HIV/AIDS as a disease which is caused as a result of complete
disobedience to God’s law (2 Tim 3: 1 – 5), Deut 28)
 Sin, suffering and sickness e.g. AIDS is because of lack of repentance
 AIDS may be caused by God to bring about repentance
 AIDS is used by God as a disciplinary rod in the lives of the believers
 AIDS is a judgement from God after the violation of God’s holy nature
 AIDS is a sign of end times
Impact of HIV/AIDS on various sectors
AIDS/STDs are common amongst the low income earners, poor or amongst those who have low
socio – economic conditions. AIDS like any other communicable disease has translated into 3 rd

disease. The poor people in the 3 world bear the greater brunt of the impact.
rd

Factors influencing the impacts (why low socio – economic conditions promote spread of
STI and STDs
1. High employment resulting into migration – migration means separation i.e. being
separated from natural needs like sex and intimacy resulting into multi – partners.
2. Women are forced to sell themselves (parking ladies)
3. Inaccessibility to health facilities
4. Crime and violence which is often common in the poor neighbourhood
5. Poor education and low literacy levels helped to keep people ignorant of the ways and
means to avoid diseases like AIDS.
6. Breakdown of the usual traditional customs, beliefs, cultural practices in the community.
These practices determine the accepted sexual behaviour and constraints in society.
7. Relationship between men an women also suffer; women are often exploited and they
have more inferior status than men; they don’t control their sexual life.
8. Poverty also makes sexual exploitation on women to be worse and this contributes further
to spread of AIDS.
9. Other factors influencing people’s sexual behaviour are drug and alcoholism, conflict,
unrest e.g. IDPs; friends and mass media influence

Impacts on education sector

 1. Education has been affected adversely by the scourge
2. Most of the professionals have succumbed to the disease and according to statistics at
least 7 teachers out of 100 die per month.
3. The students in learning institutions have also fallen victims
Impacts on health sector
 Health facilities in the country are highly constrained with about 60% of bed occupants
being AIDS sufferers.
 Constraints on purchase of drugs and facilities fro treatment and management
Impact on the families
1. Increase in number of orphaned children
2. Increase in number of single parents
3. Lack of education for children who are orphans
4. Divorce and separation
5. Murder and maiming
6. Discrimination from relatives
Impacts on labour
Different economic sectors have been affected adversely
 Agricultural sector has been affected adversely, when young able bodied people capable
for providing labour are victims leading to scarcity of labour.

TOPIC II: MODES OF TRANSMISSIUON OF STI AND HIV AND AIDS

There are two types of HIV i.e. HIV I and HIV II.
HIV I is found in many parts of the world especially Africa. The strain is more dangerous (very
virulent).
Compared to HIV II, people infected with HIV I progresses faster towards the AIDS stage.
HIV II has been found to be common in West Africa, America and Europe and it is less virulent.
1. Sexual transmission
It involves intercourse or contact between the genitals / reproductive organs. It is the greatest
culprit in the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs accounting to over 95% of all transmissions.
Some of the sexual practices are anal sex i.e. homosexuals or heterosexuals.
Oral transmission; it is the sucking, ejaculation and chewing of the penis.
Vaginal insertion;
Urine ingestion
Kissing; deep wet kissing may cause the spread of the virus
2. Transmission via blood, blood products, other body fluids and donated organs
Body fluids like semen, vaginal discharge etc. This mode of transmission usually affects drug
users, recipients of blood through transfusion, those who receive blood products and organs’
recipients.
For someone to be infected, the following risk factors have been identified:-
a. The amount of circulating virus in the source partner
b. One or both partners have sexually transmitted infections (STIs / STDs / Recto lesion)
c. Multiple sex partners: for various reasons
d. The vaginal or the rectal irritation
e. Failure of burrier protection; due to use of inappropriate lubricants
3. Mother to child or pre-natal transmissions
It can be before delivery, during delivery and after delivery.
Relationship between HIV/AIDS and STIs
Increased knowledge of causes and spread of STI, demonstrate that there is a close relationship
between the three. The basic facts are:-
 People with STI are at great risk of acquiring and transmitting; this is because the source
and the ulcers caused by STI around sexual organs provide break through for HIV to
pass
 Pus that oozes out of the source is rich in white blood cells that provide a rich
environment for HIV transmission.
 Constant exposure to STIs increases the chance of being infected by HIV
 Both STIs and HIV show no symptoms in the early stages; yet the person can still infect
others
 STI can be cured if qualified health workers give correct treatment early enough
 HIV cannot be cured and leads to death
 HIV / AIDS are STDs
 Women who are infected with STDs and HIV can infect their unborn babies
 Guidelines on prevention of STI will also prevent HIV
Practices that promote the spread of HIV and AIDS
 Polygamy
 Non medical circumcision
 Prostitution
 Wife inheritance
 Homosexuality
 Lesbianism
 Sharing of sharp objects
 Rape
Beliefs that promote HIV/AIDS
1. Cleansing
2. Witchcraft
3. Assumption – circumcised people don’t get AIDS
 AIDS can be curd by local herbs
 Aids is a curse

TOPIC III: EFFECTS OF HIV/AIDS TO IMMUNE SYSTEM

What is immunity?
It is the body’s ability to defend itself against infections or diseases i.e. it is the defense
mechanism of the body.
It is the ability of the body to fight all infections or diseases.
When the body senses danger or a strange presence, it produces antibodies that protect the body
against the attack. There are basically two types of immunity:
a. Active immunity – it is long lived the body’s internal mechanism is active.
b. Passive immunity – short lived usually boosted by factors such as nutrition of the person,
exercise, social relation etc.
Effects of HIV/AIDS on body immunity
1. The virus enters the body, attacks and destroys the immune system, by destroying
important cells i.e. CD4 cells, which controls and supports the immune system after
which it continues to attack the CD4 receptors (receptor cells) which are helper cells. The
 CD4 helper cells are very important in the regulation and the control of the immune
response to strange attacks by performing the following function:-
 Directly or indirectly protect the body from inversion by certain bacteria, fungi,
viruses, protozoa and parasites
 They clear way a number of cancer cells. The cancer causing cells are called
carcinogens.
 They are involved in the production o substances which are important fro the
body defense.
 They influence the development and the functions of monophytes and
microphages which are scavenger cells in the immune system.
 It produces some cells in the body that eats the dead cells.
When a person is immune deficient, the body has difficulty in defending itself against many
infections and some cancers.
When someone does have AIDS?
A person is described as having AIDS when the HIV related immune deficiency is so severe that
life threatening infections and cancer occurs. This condition only happens because the immune
system is only weakened.
The infections and the cancers are called opportunistic diseases because they take opportunity
provided by the lowered immune state.
The production of antibody in response to HIV infections
a. The immune system develops antibodies to HIV
b. These antibodies are not able to overcome or to destroy the virus
c. They can usually be detected in the blood system 4 - 12 weeks after infections. These
antibodies from the basis for HIV antibody blood test.
d. The HIV antibody test is often the only way to know if a person is definitely infected
with the virus
An introduction to the development of immune deficiency and the procreation to AIDS
A person who becomes infected usually goes through various clinical stages that cover a long
period of time i.e. between 7 months to 7 years. These stages occur;
i. With the patient
ii. The patient being well with no symptoms of the disease
iii. Having mild disease
iv. Having severe illness
v. Finally death

TOPIC IV: SOCIO – ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF HIV AND AIDS

HIV and AIDS situation analysis
Situation analysis refers to assessment carried out to establish the HIV and AIDS situation and
impacts in the society.
This exercise is carried out through participatory surveys on HIV and AIDS.
The normal instruments of data collection are used and they include:-
Research process
 Problem statement
 Research resign
 Methodology
 Data collection
  Data analysis
 Data representation and interpretation
 Report
Methodologies
 Questionnaires
 Interviews
 Observation
 Content analysis
 Case studies
 History
The survey is carried out to establish the:-
1. Prevalence of HIV/AIDS
2. Comparative analysis (amongst different regions) e.g. different tribes, provinces, districts
etc.
3. Used to observe trends and issues which are emerging
4. For monitoring and evaluation exercises
5. Impact assessment
HIV and AIDS have had continued adverse effects on community development. Among the
effects of AIDS are:
1. AIDS kills young and economically productive people; thus leading to loss of labour in
agriculture, industry, education and other sectors.
2. Increased pressure on health facilities and services; about 60% of hospital beds are
occupied by AIDS patients all over the nation
3. Hardships to families as those aged between 20 – 45 years have dependants who are left
suffering on their own.
4. Funeral expenses which could be more useful in other areas especially in Luo land.
5. Loss of experienced highly trained workers
6. High number of orphans under the community care whose future hinges on the balance
7. Increased child abuse, neglect, child labour and high number of street children
8. Increased single parent hood
9. Disintegration and separation of families
10. High number of widows and widowers who needs to be taken care of
11. High cost on the government side as they have to purchase ARVs, creating awareness
and facilitating VCTs.

TOPIC V: PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF HIV AND AIDS

Prevention of HIV/AIDS means:
1. Changing people’s sexual habits and practices and influencing people to have a few
sexual partners as possible
2. Changing people’s bad attitude about AIDS and towards people with HIV/AIDS
3. Changing the socio-economic conditions and forces that influence the community sexual
practices e.g. poverty, migrant work, dependence on alcohol, the improvement of status
of women
4. Educating teenagers and children on HIV/AIDS and empowering them with the skills e.g.
knowing how to avoid having sex when they don’t want it and have it safely when they
want it, learning the skills of negotiation.
 5. Talking to each other more openly and normally about sex and sexual issues
6. Strengthening community and family life
Ways of controlling AIDS
1. A – Abstinence
2. B – Be faithful
3. C – Use condoms
4. Screening of blood for HIV
5. Sterilizing of needles, blades and surgical instruments
Efforts of government in controlling and managing HIV and AIDS
1. Awareness creation and dissemination of information about HIV / AIDS
2. Transformation on education
3. Provision of funds and other resources
4. Training of personnel
5. Training experts, community workers
6. Provision of leadership and good will in the fight
7. Provision of testing and counseling services
8. Provision of enabling environment (peace and stability for international and local
organizations to be operated)
9. Regulatory role by controlling the conduct of HIV activities through registration and
licensing of other players for national security etc.
10. Provision of drugs and other medical services for those infected (ARVs), through the
MOH.
11. Establishment of National Aids Control Council (NACC) which is at the helm of
coordinating the activities for fighting the scourge
NACC

PACC

DACC
CACC
12. Provision of free primary education of bursaries for orphans
13. Provision of legal framework that is friendly to those fighting HIV and AIDS but is deterrent
to those who may want to deliberately affect others
14. Condom promotion
15. Mitigating against the effect of HIV e.g. provision of food, diagnosis of STDs, housing etc.
16. Provision of counseling services
17. Empowerment of women
18. Policies of blood transfusion, screening and organ transplants
19. Giving priorities to orphans in employment
20. Subsidizing the cost of hospitalization for patients
21. Fighting stigmatization and sterilization
Challenges to preventing HIV/AIDS
1. Inadequate quality awareness of the impacts of HIV/AIDS; surveys indicate that the public are
inadequately aware of the impacts of the scourge on orphans, families, productivity etc.
2. Existing cultural practices i.e. cultural ideologies and social ideologies based on traditions e.g.
witchcraft, superstition, marital practices e.g. polygamy and wife inheritance.
3. Inadequate resources i.e. lack of funds, medical facilities e.g. beds, screening facilities
4. Legal and ethical constraints; there is no proper law regarding
 Mode of reporting on HIV/AIDS and testing the victims
 No law about contract of the employer’s “PLWAS”
 No law regarding blood screening and blood products
 No law regarding insurance of HIV zero positive persons
 Mercy killing of patient
Strategies in preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS
All the strategies for intervention must take into account the cultural, economic resources and the
legal constraints identified above. The strategies should include:
1.Cultural re - education i.e. mobilizing, sensitizing the community on the dignity and virtue of
safe sex, traditional virtues and embarrassing behaviour like virginity before marriage, restrain
from pre-marital sex among the youths.
2. Stressing the use of condoms against HIV and unwanted pregnancies
3. Encourage each partner to undertake regular counseling even amongst the married
4. Discourage traditional practices and habits
5. Avoid sexual intercourse after alcohol consumptions
6. Encouraging sporting and entertainment activity
7. Raise employment opportunities to reduce prostitution
8. Promotion of public awareness in learning institutions, print Medias, barazas, churches etc.
9. Formation of community organizations and committees to initiate hone grown measures
Skills in prevention and control of HIV/AIDS
Given the complexity of the socio-economic circumstances under which people contract the HIV
virus, it is important that people are adequately equipped with life skills that can enable them
deal with the pressures exerted by the circumstances.
This requires that they have a clear understanding and possession of key life skills.
Life skills are ability or psycho-social competencies that help individuals to operate or cope
effectively with the challenges of everyday’s life.
There are 3 categories of life skills namely:
1. Skills dealing and coping with one’s self
2. Skills dealing and coping with others
3. Skills fro making effective decisions
The life skills under each category is a s follows
Skills to do with one’s self
(a). Self awareness (f). Coping with your emotions
(b). self value (g). Coping with stress
(c). Self acceptance (h). Goal setting
(d). Confidence (i). Time management
(e). Assertiveness
Skills to cope with others
(a).Interpersonal relationships
(b). Development of good friendship
(c). Advocate for change
(d). Solve conflicts peacefully and amicably
Skills of making effective decision
This is meant for
 Self achievement of goals in life
 Helps in having responsible and informed decisions in life
 Solve problem situations effectively
Activities aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS
1. Health education to the public through songs, media, drama etc
2. Sensitizing community on healthy behaviour (habits and practices)
3. Opening of VCTs
4. Provision of condoms
5. Training of service providers on Home Based Care (HBC)
6. Distribution of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs)
7. Production and dissemination of information, Education and communication materials (IEC)
8. Home Based Care programmes at all community levels
9. Training of counselors
10. Mobilization of community to form peer education network within the community at all
levels
11. Condom social marketing i.e. teaching people on safe and proper use of condom and
promotion
12. Referral services for those seeking VCT, for the infected and the affected
13. Enhancing sporting activities
14. Mobilize the community to maximize their resources in preventing STDs
15. Initiation of income generating activities
16. Training of circumcisers, traditional birth attendance and traditional healers
17. Encouraging public declaration of HIV/AIDS status. This helps in:
 Mobilizing resources
 Prevention and transmission
 Helps to get support
 Psycho-social analysis
 Helps in awareness creation
TOPIC VI: HIV AND AIDS MANAGEMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT OF INFECTED
AND AFFECTED
There are many challenges that people living with HIV/AIDS normally face in the community.
Those affected families also face to large extent challenges of those infected.
Those affected include widows, widowers, orphans, family/ relatives, employers, friends etc.
These individuals or groups need to be supported in many ways including:
1. Psycho-social support i.e. counseling, visitation, moral support and mutual support
2. Material support; giving of items e.g. shelter, clothing, food
3. Medicare; giving of treatment and drugs e.g. using ARVs and other drugs to suppress
opportunistic infections
4. Nutrition; give balanced diet to enhance body immunity e.g. eating well etc. This will boost
the body and proper functioning of ARVs.
5. Physical exercise; for People living with Aids to strengthen and to enhance their physical well
being.
6. Spiritual support; provides hope and certainty, talk to them about God.

Specific skills needed for care of support include

 Compassion; deep feeling of willingness to help
 Empathy
 Peer counseling
 Avoidance of discrimination and stigma
 Moral, mutual and material support
The society needs thorough education to have a positive attitude towards people living with
HIV/AIDS and the affected. Every community member should show concern and compassion.
Organizations, private sectors and community should play their roles to take care of the infected
and the affected.
No one should blame, curse or victimize PLWAS but rather, love, care and provide support to
them. Respect them and respond to their needs, morally, socially, mentally and economically.
Management of HIV and AIDS
1. Administration of ARVs to the infected
2. Proper nutrition and health care to the infected
3. Community or home based care for the infected
4. Support structures and care for the orphan children
5. Guidance and counseling for infected and affected for psycho-social and spiritual support and
comfort
6. Going for VCT constantly
Attitudes towards people Living with AIDS (PLWAS)
People normally feel contempt some of the common feelings and responses are fear,
condemnation, rejection, anger, hate, bitterness etc.
Our response/attitude towards PLWAS should be;
1) Respect their rights; as other human beings
2) Need for emotional support, for comfort, social integration etc.
3) They need involvement and participation in community activities
Home Based Care (HBC)
Refers to the care and the support of HIV and AIDS patients at home
It is also known as Community care (CC)
Importance of HBC
1. Helps to mobilize and use locally available resources
2. Reduces the constraints of medical facilities e.g. beds in hospitals
3. Helps to kill discrimination and stigma
4. Creates community awareness
5. Provides psycho-social security
Cares for the PLWAS are
1. Establish the diagnosis and the time of HIV infection
2. Regular physical check-up
3. Monitoring HIV and immune status
4. Managing medical problems; other than ARVs
5. ARV treatment
6. Preventing opportunistic infections e.g. mosquito nets fro malaria
7. Advice on self care
8. Advice on safe care, safer sexual practices and wellness programmes e.g. good nutrition.

TOPIC VII: COMMUNICATION OF HIV AND AIDS ISSUES

It is the process of conveying information from one source to another through a media in order to
establish a common understanding.
Communication of HIV and AIDS could be through different modes which are suitable and
acceptable amongst the receivers. The types of communication that we may employ are verbal,
non verbal, written etc.
Sources of information on HIV and AIDS
1. Health or medical institutions i.e. health centre registry from the staff registry, the patients.
2. Government reports are majorly medical reports
3. Media reports include features, discussions etc.
4. The World Health Organization (WHO)
 Solicits funds
 Disbashing funds
 Monitoring and evaluation
 They test the patency and ethicacy of drugs
 They carry out advisory services
 Keeping records
5. Learning institutions i.e. universities, colleges, secondary etc.
6. Research institutions which do comparative analysis, verification of facts on diseases, drugs
etc.
7. Conferences i.e. workshops and seminars
8. Libraries or information centers
9. From research papers or medical journals
10. CBOs, NGOs dealing in health issues
11. Newsletters, bulletins etc.
Skills in counseling the infected and the affected
Counseling is a process that helps people understand and deal with their own problems and
communicate better with those whom they are emotionally involved.
The counselor discusses and explores feelings, worries and concern of the clients
Together they work at the ay of coping with the feelings and the worries and concerns as best as
possible.
Counseling deals with majorly psychological issues/emotional whereas social work is more than
this.
Effective communication on HIV and AIDS issues in the community
The community needs both general information about AIDS and how it spread and the reasons
why it is spreading
They need to know about prevention and control
They need to know about acceptance and support of people with HIV
Help people to cope with living with HIV and AIDS
Explain and explore the relationship between people and how this affects their sexual life
They need to help especially women and teenagers to develop skills on how to negotiate with
their partners about having safer sex.
Need for safe and proper use of preventive methods
Communication on HIV and AIDS needs to be innovative and sustained
Messages need to be on-going and respective
Try to use different methods to communicate about AIDS. The methods are:
 Talk in barazas
 Seminars and workshops
 Educational dramas and role plays
 Use of posters
 Use of brochures
 Use of billboards
 Writing on buildings
 Use of books
 Use of people living with AIDS
 Help people to understand the important features of the disease and explore ways
in which realistically prevention methods can be done/put in place
 Avoid making the diseased sound pathetic by stressing the negative and terrible
consequences of it
 Promote acceptance and sensitivity by the disease

TOPIC VIII: COMMON DISEASES

Types of common diseases

Causes of common diseases

Impacts of diseases on development

1. Lowers the population
2. Leads to overspending by the government
3. Leads to huge debts
4. Lowers economic productivity
5. Increases the poverty rate in the economy
Intervention measures on common diseases

TOPIC IX: GENDER AND HIV AND AIDS

Gender refers to the distinction of the sexes that correspond to power, balance within the society.
It refers to socially constructed roles of either man or woman on the other hand sexuality refers
to biological differences among men and women. When looking at gender and HIV/AIDS we are
interested in finding reasons why either women or men are at higher risks of acquiring infections
and how this affects them and their health.
Reasons for women vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
Women are more vulnerable to HIV than men because of socio-economic reasons: cultural and
political reasons too.
The reasons include:
1. Respective sexual partner; the semen is deposited in the woman’s virginal and remains there
for some time, giving the virus an opportunity to gain entry into the body.
2. The uterine, cervical and vaginal conditions i.e. incase of cervical erosions or cervical ectopic
or cervical cancer.
3. Inflammation or damage is usually from STDs or from the user of herbal or other substances
from the vagina.
4. Infected sperms may also cause inflammation as HIV virus is usually attracted to
inflammatory tissues or cells.
5. STDs in women usually go hidden or unnoticed and as a result they don’t seek immediate
effect.
6. Poor access to health facilities by women
7. Other genital diseases are also contributing
8. Menstruation; it results into a large row exposed area of the inner uterine linings which makes
the transmission of the virus easier just before during and after menstruation
9. Social status of women especially in low socio-economic communities makes women less
empowered in decision making and control of their life and in negotiating safer sexual practices
with their partners. They are often forced by circumstances of life into selling sex for money.
They have no power on their social status too.
10. In situations where husbands or sexual partners have sex with others, it is the women who are
usually the culprit they will not know the other partners and if they know, they may not control
their partners.
11. Young girls are culprits of marauding men because of myths and misconceptions and
physical weaknesses.
Women contribution to fight against HIV and AIDS
1. Economic empowerment through income generating activities through gainful employments
2. Practice of safer sex through women condoms
3. Slow but surely making decisions on their sexuality
4. Avoid use of drugs and substance abuses
5. Avoiding insecure places that can lead to rape
6. Avoidance of prostitution
7. Establishing organizations
8. Taking care of women’s welfare e.g. CIDA
9. Say no to wife inheritance
10. Discourage Female Genital Mutilation
11. Discourage early and forced marriages
12. Avoid peer pressure
13. Avoid provocative dressing

TOPIC X: HIV AND AIDS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

These are majorly countries in Africa, Asia and south America; leading countries are S. Africa,
Botswana and Zimbabwe.
The least hit countries are Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Algeria.
Factors contributing to high level of HIV in developing countries
1. Unemployment
2. Poverty
3. Inadequete medical facilities, personnel and materials
4. Illiteracy
5. Ignorance
6. Cultural practices and habits
7. Cultural beliefs
8. Drugs and substance abuse
9. Lack of adequate recreation facilities
10. Failure by the infected to disclose their status
11. Peer pressure
12. Transitory lifestyle e.g. mode of dressing
13. Insecurity and gender issues to women
Ways of reversing the situation
 Creation of more job opportunities and facilities fro both private and public
sectors
 Encourage self employment
 Government and private sectors, should provide medical facilities and materials
 Educational activities should be expanded
 Organize educational forum to address HIV/AIDS to the public i.e. awareness
creation
 Discourage and disband cultural practices and habits that contribute to the spread
of HIV.
 Open up recreational facilities to absorb our energies
 Initiate rules, regulations and modalities of addressing drug and substance abuse
e.g. NACADA
 Guidance and counseling among youths
 Women empowerment
  International support increment
 Community involvement in prevention and control

TOPIC XI: GROUPS MOST AFFECTED BY HIV AND AIDS

Groups mostly affected are
 The youth especially between 14-35 years of age
 The forces
 The medical personnel
 Farm workers
 Teachers
 Long distance truck drivers and conductors
 Fishermen
 Barmaids and hotel attendants
 Commercial sex workers
 Street children
 Orphaned girl child
Factors contributing to the high vulnerability of these groups
1. Peer pressure
2. Drugs
3. Permissiveness in the society
4. Westernization especially through media
5. Low income and high income
6. Physical separation and nature of work
7. Mode of dressing
8. Decline cultures

TOPIC XII: HIV AND AIDS COUNSELING

HIV and AIDS counseling

HIV and AIDS testing

Pre- testing counseling

This is counseling done before HIV test is carried out; usually the person is not known whether
he/she is positive or not.
This counseling is to set the situation by helping the individual to understand and to cope with
the testing. It is through called Test preparation counseling.
Post testing counseling
This is counseling that is done after the completion or testing exercise. It may take 2 forms:-
 Before the result is revealed to the client
 After the revelation of the result
The intent and the purpose is to; provide a coping strategy for the client whether positive or
negative.
Ongoing counseling
Is the continuous counseling process that is carried out fro those who have undergone a testing
exercise whether they are positive or negative.
For those who are positive, the counseling exercise is meant to retain the status quo and to
advocate and lobby for behaviour change.
The person can become an agent of change.
For those who are negative, the ongoing counseling is meant to achieve the following
1. Safe and responsible sexual behaviour
2. Couple counseling and its perceived benefits
3. Behaviour change process

TOPIC XIII: ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN FIGHTING AGAINST HIV AND AIDS

Identification of stakeholders
1. Government of Kenya
2. Development and intervention partners
3. The community
4. CBOs and NGOs
5. Private sectors
6. Religious based organizations
7. People living with AIDS/individuals
The role of stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS
Role of the Government
1. Provision of funds and other resources
2. Training of personnel
3. Providing leadership and political goodwill in the fight against HIV and AIDS
4. Provision of testing and counseling services for those who want to know their status
5. Has provided an enabling environment which is conducive enough for all the other
stakeholders to carry out activities in the fight against HIV
6. Provision of information materials to the community (awareness creation)
7. Controlling the conduct of HIV activities through registration and licensing of other players
8. Provision of drugs and other medical services to those who are infected
9. Establishment of National AIDS control council (NACC)
10. Provision of free education and bursaries for orphans
11. Providing a legal framework that is friendly to those fighting HIV but deterrent to those who
may want deliberately infect others
Role of NGOs
1. Provision of funds
2. Training and education
3. Yielding of new innovative strategies like Home Based Care (HBC)
4. Provision of drugs and other services needed by those infected and their families
5. Caring for socio-economic needs of the infected and affected
 6. Establishment of care centres for those who are infected / orphans caring centers, initiation of
IGAS for the infected and affected, VCT centres to enable community to know their status
7. Advocating on behalf of those infected, the affected and generally all the community members
8. Strengthening the capacities of the communities in fighting against the scourge.
Roles of religious based organizations or faith based organizations (RBOs / FBOs)
1. They are primarily healing organizations for the infected individuals
2. They help in disseminating information
3. They have a rich network in the grassroots/community level thus enabling them to effectively
implement/execute many projects
4. They exert much needed influence on the infected and the affected
5. They offer health and education services apart from spiritual well being
6. RBOs also run VCT centres
7. They lay emphasis on abstinence and faithfulness
8. Training and dissemination of information
9. They undertake advocacy and lobbying on behalf of the vulnerable members of the
communities – orphans, widows and widowers made so by HIV and AIDS
10. Some provide funds especially from their mother in the western world
11. It has also provided common agenda for religious organizations
Roles of the private sectors and employers
1. Running and funding ARVs programmes fro their workers for the purpose of managing those
already infected
2. Starting preventive units fro purposes of educating their staff hence protecting those who are
not yet infected
3. Providing help to workers dependants especially defraying medical costs by also starting
Medicare
4. Running training programmes fro their workers
5. Provision of funds and other provisions to NGOs and CBOs involved in HIV/AIDS activities

TOPIC XIV: EMERGING TRENDS IN HIV AND AIDS