AIDS Awareness

AIDS  Awareness Program

We create awareness by organizing talks, lectures, and seminars on the reality of HIV/AIDS. One would shudder at the large numbers of people who still labor under the illusion that AIDS is not only a “white man’s” creation but a myth invented by the West to cut short their pleasures. What we do therefore is to firstly address their unbelief and assure that AIDS is REAL and is no respecter of persons - old or young, tall or short, white or black. Our lectures present an opportunity to clarify myths, reduce stigma, influence peoples’ willingness and readiness to know their HIV status (through our  voluntary counseling and testing), for those who have contacted the dreaded disease, we teach them how to live with it and still be useful to themselves and society.

We visit high schools and colleges and give them talks. Experts are invited to lecture these doubting youngsters. Emphasis is usually on abstinence and as a last resort the use of condoms. We print pamphlets, flyers and billboards disseminating information on the all-important need to keep as far away from HIV/AIDS as possible. In Nigeria, May 27th is usually Children’s Day and we take advantage of an opportunity to gather youngsters in their droves to educate them on this scourge. In Republic of Benin, we have partnered with other organizations like Action Sociale and The schools in the fight to stop AIDS.

Voluntary Counseling and Testing

Voluntary Counseling and Testing refers to the process whereby an individual undergoes counseling to enable him make a choice as to whether to submit himself for the test or not. The term ‘voluntary’ is very instructive. It shows that there can be no coercion of any sort and that the decision to go for a test is up to the person.

PROCESS OF VCT:

  • Pre-test counseling
  • HIV test
  • Post-test Counseling
  • Follow-up Counseling

PRE-TEST COUNSELLING
This is the counseling offered to a person before the HIV test. The counselor prepares you for the test by exploring the reason why you want the test, explains what the test is all about, implications of both negative and positive results and how to prevent HIV infection. A lot of people live in dread of the test. That is the essence of our pre-test counseling- to assuage their fears.

Here, emphasis is on:

  • Reasons for wanting a HIV test
  • Knowledge of HIV/AIDS
  • Personal risks
  • General information on HIV/AIDS
  • For those who will eventually test positive, the capacity to cope with.

HIV TEST
The only way to determine one’s HIV status is to take the test. The results of the test determine the next step.

POST-TEST COUNSELING
Post-test counseling is offered after the test results are ready. The aim of the session is to explain the test results and help one to adapt and cope with the positive or negative status.

MONITORING AND FOLLOW-UP ON HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS ON ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART).

On confirmation of a person’s HIV status, he begins his treatment and commences anti-retroviral treatment. We do not handle this administration but we go into another phase of our counseling. It is at this point that we monitor the patient’s progress-ensure that he is taking his medications, give him counseling on how to live with AIDS and give assurances that there is still a life beyond the disease.

MANAGEMENT
The people behind our Organization are:

  1. Dr. Nnenna Igwe- A Nigerian but resides in Greenville, South Carolina and is an MD. She is the Medical Director and our overseas co-coordinator.
  2. Dr. Chidoziem Egwuonwu- Also an MD. He is the Assistant Medical Director in charge of Projects. He has a vast experience in AIDS related matters and has attended a lot of conferences and seminars on AIDS.
  3. Chijioke Chuku-A legal Practitioner. He is the Director of Operations.

There are other staff who though not part of the Management team are in the field doing quite a lot in the area of AIDS awareness campaigns.