Campbell EC, Roach T; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12; 10: 431 (abstract no. PD0332).
AIDS Information Centre, Ministry of Health, Barbados.
OBJECTIVES: 1. Utilization of Street Carnival Bands as (a) a medium for general public education and (b) to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS to facilitate behaviour change. METHODS: Carnival street bands are a part of many Caribbean festivals. For the last three years Barbados, a small island of the West Indies has utilized the medium of an "AIDS Band" to educate the general public about the disease, the routes of transmission and preventative measures. "Grand Kadooment" is a carnival that celebrates the sugar cane harvest and consists of colourful costumed revellers, accompanied by calypso, steel band and indigenous music which tramp the streets. "AIDS--Looking fuh de Cure" a band organized by the National Advisory Committee on AIDS, The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners and the AIDS Society of Barbados participated in the 1993 Grand Kadooment. RESULTS: The 150 member band won 5 prizes--best small band, most original band, and best community costume band. It placed second overall, and third in the individual category. It is estimated that 55,000 people observed the band from the roadside; and 150,000 watched on television. 20,000 fliers advising safe sex and 25,000 condoms were distributed by members during the parade. At least 75% of the Island population were exposed to this culturally appropriate form of AIDS education. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is recommended that other countries--particularly Caribbean islands and Latin American countries--that have annual festivals utilize this as an effective form of AIDS education.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Barbados
- Caribbean Region
- Condoms
- Educational Status
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Education
- Television
- West Indies
- education
Other ID:
UI: 102209529
From Meeting Abstracts