Analyzing the effect upon people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/As) as lecturers for students in Taiwan

Background: To eliminate stigma upon people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/As), they should not be simply regarded as patients. Due to their unique experiences, PLWH/As convince people to have a more positive perspective about HIV/AIDS. They could even possibly be good lecturers for students.

Methods: With a series of training programs, 10 PLWH/As had developed communicating skills in sharing their personal experiences and teaching correct HIV/AIDS knowledge to students. Then, these PLWH/As gave lectures and interacted with participants such as Free Hugs and Q&A. After the lectures, the students were evaluated by a questionnaire regarding their knowledge and attitude toward HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, all participant school teachers, students, and PLWH/As were interviewed to collect qualitative data for accessing the impact of PLWH/As served as lecturers.

Results: A total of 929 questionnaires were collected in 2007 and 2008. The scores of students' HIV/AIDS knowledge in 2008 were significantly higher than those in 2007. The results of content analysis showed that both teachers and students expressed they had become more empathic with PLWH/As, and had a better understanding on HIV/AIDS. Similarly, PLWH/As indicated that after the training programs and sharing experiences with students, their knowledge on HIV/AIDS was increased, their sense of personal value and empowerment were raised, and their will to keep the promise that they have responsibility to stop AIDS was strengthened.

Conclusions: This study provided evidence that training PLWH/As to be lecturers benefits not only to teachers and students but to PLWH/As themselves. This kind of program should be implemented constantly.