08 January 2009
Daniela, 14, lives in a rural part of Amazonas state, Brazil. Like many girls her age in the area, Daniela is already sexually active.
Although her family opposes her relationship with her current boyfriend, and would prefer it if she concentrated on her school studies, it's unlikely that Daniela will hold off having sex before she reaches a more acceptable age.
However, thanks to awareness-raising exercises funded by DFID, Daniela at least knows how to protect herself from unwanted pregnancy and infections. And what's more, she’s now passing on her knowledge to her classmates...
Talking to communities
Supported by DFID, the development agency International Service is working with four municipalities in Amazonas to educate local people about HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). One project, still in its early stages, is in Labrea, where Daniela lives.
Elisabeth Wilhelm is the agency's development worker in this remote and thinly populated area. Every day, large numbers of people are on the move along its rivers. "This is how malaria and leprosy spread in the past," says Elisabeth, "and while travellers are more aware of these diseases, there is not the same knowledge and interest about HIV and AIDS."
Better information, therefore, is a must - and Elisabeth knows there is no point in toning down the message for a young audience. When she gave her first talk on preventing infection, she was worried about how the children would react. "The session included explicit images of genitals and a condom demonstration," she says. "But the local nurse pointed out that many of those 'children' had done their pregnancy care consultations with her - 22.69% of pregnant women during the second half of 2007 were under-aged."
Moving forward
During 2008, as well as reaching out to youth groups and the disabled, the programme targeted members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community. It also held information workshops for hairdressers, tour guides, sex workers and others.
In addition, condoms and educational workshops were provided through an anti-sexual abuse campaign, while popular events, including a youth congress and the Miss Gay Lábrea contest, served as focal points for spreading safe sex messages. An information centre for health professionals was also opened, providing educational materials.
Since the scheme began in the area, the numbers of people tested for HIV has shot up, rising from 64 to 152 between February and May 2008. Local health workers and professionals have also been trained to fight HIV/AIDS and other STIs, and demand has increased for rapid testing kits and condoms. Now, as Daniela and people like her pass on what they have learned in Elisabeth's classes, it is hoped that the fight against a killer disease will grow even stronger.
Facts and stats
- The "HIV/AIDS Education in the Brazilian Amazon" project is running from September 2007 to August 2010.
- It is being supported by DFID and part of a grant of £424,366 awarded by the UK Big Lottery Fund.
- International Service's partners are the Tropical Medicine Foundation of Amazonas, the Municipal Secretary of Health of Labrea and the Amazonas State STI/HIV/AIDS Programme.
- Amazonas is the largest state of Brazil with a land area four times the size of Spain. Its population is 2,812,600.
- Under a Partnership Programme Arrangement (PPA), DFID funded International Service with £1,470,000 for 2007-8. In 2008-9, funding will rise to £1,514,100.