HIV/AIDSPresentation for WELL Seminar 2012

Fact or Myth?•Africa has been more affected by AIDS than any other part of the world, but HIV infection rates are rising in many other regions.

•FACT

Fact or Myth?

•HIV can be spread by sharing cups and glasses

•MYTH

Fact or Myth?•HIV is no longer a threat in Ukraine

MYTH

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

• H -- Human: because this virus can only infect human beings.

• I -- Immuno-deficiency: because the effect of the virus is to create a deficiency, or a failure to work properly, within the body's immune system.

• V -- Virus: because this organism is a virus, which means one of its characteristics is that it is incapable of reproducing by itself. It reproduces by taking over the machinery of the human cell.

How is HIV transmitted?

1. Through blood:Sharing or re-using syringes, needles or other injecting

instruments. As a rule, it occurs among injecting drug users when sharing injection instruments.

When using non-sterile medical instruments, as well as instruments for tattoo and piercing.

Using somebody else's razors, toothbrushes.

2. Having unprotected (without condom) anal, oral or vaginal sex.

3. From HIV-positive mother to child during pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding.

HIV can not be transmitted through:

1. Routine daily activities such as:Using a toilet seat.Sharing food utensils or drinking glasses. Taking care of HIV-positive people.Sweat and tears.Air, including coughing or sneezing.

2. Communication:Kissing.Shaking hands, hugs, touching.Joint sports or games.Through the water while swimming.

3. HIV cannot be spread by insects or animals: Stings or animal bites.When caring for animals.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

• A -- Acquired: because it is a condition one must acquire or get infected with; not something transmitted through the genes

• I -- Immune: because it affects the body's immune system, the part of the body which usually works to fight off germs such as bacteria and viruses

• D -- Deficiency: because it makes the immune system deficient (makes it not work properly)

• S -- Syndrome: because someone with AIDS may experience a wide range of different diseases and opportunistic infections

Treatment

• HIV is treatable, not curable• You can take medicine twice a day and live a normal life

• In Ukraine, 30% of treatment is funded by the Global Fund and 70% by the Ukrainian government

• I like people- so I have a lot of friends, and I never worry whether they have HIV or not. Because I know HIV isn’t transmitted via friendship.”

–Ani Lorak, Ukrainian pop singer

• “Thanks to Ukrainian celebrities and famous people who have supported the PLWH (People Living with HIV), I feel myself as a part of society. I hope that people around me will feel the same.” –Sergiy Fyodorov, HIV+ man from

Odesa

"Всеукраїнська мережа ЛЖВ”All Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH)

• Non-governmental Organization (NGO) started between the years of 1999-2001

• Mission Statement “We, being the people living with HIV, join together like-minded activists to enable possibility for every human, affected by HIV / AIDS, to realize:

• Right to life• Right to support•  Right to self-actualization

All Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH)

• Today the Network of PLWH is the largest and the most powerful organization representing the interests of HIV-positive Ukrainians.

• All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH has 40 offices in all regions of Ukraine, more than 500 members, and over 400 employees. It provides services to more than 20,000 clients.

All Ukrainian Network PLWH Project:• Rivne Network PLWH worked

with a PCV to conduct a needs assessment of HIV+ people

• The assessment showed that HIV+ kids weren’t given the opportunity to go to summer camps because of safety concerns & strict medication schedules

• Project Idea: design a camp for HIV+ kids to attend, to learn more about HIV & to have fun while meet other HIV+ youth

The Result: Camp OHALOW (Overcoming HIV/AIDS & Leading Our World)

• A week long summer camp for 31 HIv+ kids (aged 8-16)

• Gave the opportunity to experience traditional summer camp- to play games, sing songs, do arts and crafts, and simply live as a typical kid for a week

Camp OHALOW• Gave kids opportunity to learn more about managing their lives with HIV/AIDS

• A nurse, doctor, & psychologist were at Camp to answer questions and gave lessons on the biology of HIV/AIDS, stigma & discrimination, sexual health, and nutrition.

Camp OHALOW’s Goal

To instill in these children the confidence

& leadership skills necessary to leave

camp and continue a meaningful life through

which they can contribute something

positive to their communities.

For more information:• Learn more about HIV / AIDS and life with HIV / AIDS via all-Ukrainian free hotline for HIV / AIDS   0-800-500-451  (anonymously, free)  as well as from our regional representatives.

http://network.org.ua/home-en/

Other Ukrainian Organizations:

www.helpme.com.ua

www.aids.ua

www.aidsalliance.org.ua

www.aidsfiles.net.ua