HFDI Launches HIV Campaign in Nigeria, Targets Adolescents, Young Women, Pregnant Women
By Titilola Olaniyan,
Hope For Family Development Initiative HFDI has launched campaign on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), as it targeted adolescents, young women as well as pregnant women.
The Campaign which kicked off in states such as Osun, Kwara, Ekiti and Akwa Ibom was in line with the organisations ongoing commitment to community health education and adolescent well-being.
The Sensitization and Prevention Outreach at schools, religious houses, communities and primary health care centres specifically targeting Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to improve their awareness of HIV, dispel myths, and promote preventive behaviors that reduce risk of infection and stigma.
The outreach provided basic and age-appropriate HIV prevention education to adolescent girls, corrected myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV transmission, aim to reduce stigma and promote empathy and support for People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
The session which is in line with HFDI’s vision and mission also highlighted the importance of early education on HIV prevention, with a clear distinction between HIV and AIDS, emphasizing that HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system and can lead to AIDS if untreated.
Furthermore using the “four-finger” visual illustration, the HFDI team explained the four primary modes of HIV transmission which include:
1. Unprotected Sexual Intercourse:
Adolescents were encouraged to abstain from sex as the safest preventive option at their age.
2. Sharing of Unsterilized Sharp Objects:
Items such as razors, blades, and needles should not be shared, as they pose a high risk of transmission.
3. Transfusion of Unscreened Blood:
Pupils were educated on the importance of receiving blood only from safe, screened sources in health facilities.
4. Mother-to-Child Transmission:
Preventive medical measures during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding were discussed as ways to prevent vertical transmission.
Hinging on the importance of early detection and treatment adherence, and addressing misconceptions, it was clarified that HIV is not transmitted through: Hugs, handshakes, or sweat, Sharing clothes, shoes, or eating utensils, Using the same toilet or sleeping on the same bed.
At the outreach in each of the states, demonstration on empathy and support toward people living with HIV, encouraging the students to avoid discrimination, advising People living with HIV to seek and adhere to treatment, and advocate for an inclusive and supportive communities was displayed.
Essence of the outreach was for the participants to be assisted in making informed decisions that will protect and prevent contacting HIV and to support others.
Similarly, the outreach contributed meaningfully to empowering adolescent girls with life-saving information, promoting stigma-free attitudes, and strengthening HIV prevention among young people.