Ahonsi AP; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. TuPeD5290.
Health Matters Inc., Lagos, Nigeria
Issues: The empowerment of adolescents and youths through skills transfer along with reproductive health/HIV information and training is an important strategy in preventing and controlling the rate of new infections. Working with youths in three resource poor communities in the outskirt of Lagos, it has been observed that most of them who have acquired skills and become competent enough to seek employment and have been thus able to avoid risks that put them at the verge of HIV infection. Through micro-credit scheme were also able to set up small scale businesses. Description: This paper will expatiate on the different strategies developed to achieve the stated goal. Such strategies as establishment of well equipped vocational centres, provision of seasoned instructors in skills like catering, hairdressing, dressmaking, haircutting, typing and computer appreciation, creation of a revolving loan scheme, establishment of role-model club, employment of youths as instructors all together with teaching and deepening their knowledge on ST/HIV/AIDS prevention and control and other reproductive health issues. Lessons learnt: Through skills acquisition, most of the youths became more economically empowered. Peer education is encouraged through the trainee's outlets. They a also become more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. Through regular information sharing they are able to bridge that gap between knowledge and practice. Recommendation: This paper recommends that setting up vocational centres in poor communities should be encouraged as a strategy for the prevention and control of HIV infection among adolescents in such communities.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Community Health Aides
- Community Health Services
- Demography
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Health Planning
- Health Services
- Humans
- Nigeria
- Poverty
- Reproductive Medicine
- education
- prevention & control
Other ID:
UI: 102283095
From Meeting Abstracts