Thailand - Improved HIV/AIDS prevention among out- of-school youth by a group of people living with HIV (PLHIV)

BACKGROUND: The majority of new HIV infections in Thailand occur among people aged 15-19 years old. Only 20-30% of sexually active young people are using condom consistently. In addition, Thai society still sees people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs) as victims who are sick and dying. There is an urgent need to increase awareness about HIV transmission and prevention among youth in addition to increasing society's acceptance of PLHIVs. THE PROJECT: A PLHIV Group in Chiangrai province, in partnership with Plan International, implemented a project (1) to increase knowledge and practices among out-of-school youth about HIV/AIDS and methods to protect themselves, and (2) to develop more accepting and supportive attitudes toward PLHIV's. All activities were designed and implemented with participation from community health workers and other community members. RESULTS: Twenty-five out-of-school youth have become role models for disseminating messages of HIV/AIDS prevention in Chiangsaen district, bordering Myanmar and Lao PDR. They are currently reaching approximately 500 out-of-school youth. These youth leaders received technical guidance from the PLHIV group. They distributed condoms and worked as peer educators, also encouraging other out-of-school youth to disclose their HIV/AIDS status. The youth leaders started an income generation activity, producing key chains to be sold to tourists, and they also raised funds from the local government office. LESSONS LEARNED: Involving PLHIV's is an effective way to provide knowledge and understanding among youth about HIV/AIDS, while at the same time erasing stigma and mis-conceptions about the role of the former in combating the HIV epidemic.