EENET asia Newsletters : Fourth issue June 2007 Contents

Why we need HIV and AIDS Prevention Education in Lao PDR

Philany Phissamay

In Lao PDR the HIV prevalence is low with an estimated rate of 0.05-0.06% in 2000. The first HIV positive case was reported in 1990; and the first case of AIDS was in 1992. By June 2006, the cumulative [total] number of reported HIV cases was 2,003 and 688 people had died from the disease. Even though the rate is low, the official figure is most likely an underestimation, as there is limited access to testing and other health care services, inadequate training of health care providers, and reluctance of people to seek testing due to the stigma and discrimination that often follows a positive test result.

It is likely that HIV rates will increase in the future, mainly due to the high levels of poverty that exist in parts of the country. Income poverty, lack of education and high unemployment rates are often associated with high-risk behaviors and the potential spread of HIV. This is combined with limited access to effective treatment of sexually transmitted infections [STI] and poor implementation of universal screening for HIV for blood transfusions and blood products.

Economic growth may be another risk factor. Rapid socio-economic changes are occurring in the country, with large infrastructure projects, tourism and trade all increasing. Further, both internal and external migration, are on the rise.

Given the growing risks of HIV transmissions the Lao PDR government introduced HIV preventive education for the general population and for vulnerable groups using peer education and life-skills training. The Ministry of Education integrated life skills into the school and teacher training curriculum. Life skills were also integrated into population education and HIV/AIDS/STI preventive education was integrated into health promotion.

With support from UNESCO Bangkok under the OPEC Fund project, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information & Culture through the Lao National Commission for UNESCO also trained school principals and teachers at the provincial level. The aim is to ensure that

1. school principals and teachers will be able to transfer accurate knowledge and positive attitudes on HIV and AIDS to students;
2. students will see the consequences of unsafe sex, including the dangers of HIV and AIDS, and thus be able to solve problems related to their sexuality;
3. students will have positive attitudes and behaviors towards sex, enabling them to avoid unsafe sex; and
4. teachers can strengthen linkages between schools, communities and parents. These program has used interactive teaching methods, with games, demonstrations, videos, audio-visual materials, quizzes, posters, brochures and pamphlets.

Lessons learnt from developing an affective HIV preventive education program include:

• A multi-sectoral approach leads to an effective response to HIV and AIDS.
• Active participation of all stakeholders in schools and communities is needed to ensure effective HIV prevention.
• Continuing training for teachers is crucial and should go along with providing appropriate equipments and materials.
• Emphasis should be placed on the training of trainers, teachers and provincial and district pedagogical advisors in order to upgrade (and keep up-to-date) their general knowledge of HIV/AIDS/STI education.
• HIV/AIDS/STI education should be thoroughly reviewed and revised to ensure proportionality in the curriculum and to avoid overload and overlap in the school programme.
• Monitoring and Evaluation are crucial

If Lao PDR is to avoid the losses that its neighboring countries have experienced, from HIV and AIDS, it will have to expand its education response to the disease. With no cure for AIDS, education is the best means to ensure that people protect themselves, their families and their communities. To achieve this, further resources, extra trainings for teachers, new materials and most importantly an open attitude from all to ensure that we know how HIV is and is not transmitted.

Mrs. Philany Phissamay is working at the Lao National Commission for UNESCO at the Ministry of Education. She can be contacted via email: laonesco@yahoo.com or post: National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education, P.O. Box 67, Vientiane, Lao PDR

EENET asia Newsletters : Fourth issue June 2007 Contents