AIDS Week focuses on men
This is National AIDS Week and as one of the activities the National AIDS Commission and U.B. have joined forces to raise awareness. The first in a series of programmes was held at U.B.’s Faculty of Business this morning.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
It was a regular school day for the students of the University of Belize, but in addition to the three R?s they also learned about HIV. Twelve students participated in the seminar, one of the activities for National AIDS Week. Rodel Beltran Perrera of Alliance Against AIDS was the facilitator.
Rodel Beltran Perrera, Director, AAA
?I think that getting to the student body is a good initiative by U.B. and the National AIDS Commission. The message is that we need to involve each young woman, each young man. In the information, getting the information to them about the dangers of HIV and AIDS. This year the theme is: Men make a difference. It is interesting to see that a lot of men are standing up and listening. In the presentation today the young guys were very much participating in the discussion.?
Participants were given information and practical examples on how to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. The discussion focused on how to use and purchase condoms effectively.
Rodel Beltran Perrera, Talking to class
“The condom has a reservoir. It?s a way to put on your condom ensuring that reservoir is at the top so it?s easy to pull down your condom.?
Beltran Perrera sees the hands-on approach as crucial especially since the age group fifteen to forty-four has the highest rate of infection.
Rodel Beltran Perrera
“More and more we?re losing them. And losing them we will see them affect our business, departments and our agencies. More and more women are being infected. We see more and more children are being orphaned by HIV and AIDS because they?ve lost either their mother or both parents. But a percentage of those children are also HIV positive, so the statistics are not looking good. We know that soon there will be some epidemiological information on HIV and AIDS. ?
But today?s presentation wasn?t all talk, students took away some valuable lessons.
Alicia Eck, U.B. Student
?It gave you information such as how HIV is transmitted, some symptoms you can look for I people, although you cannot tell from looking at a person that he or she is infected. How you can prevent the spread and how you can get tested for HIV/AIDS.?
Travis Banner, U.B. Student
?It gave me a better understanding of going about my way and doing stuff and how to take precaution in doing different types of activities sexually.?
Ann-Marie Williams For News Five.
Tuesday’s discussion moves to the Faculty of Education, formerly the Belize Teacher’s College and the Faculty of Nursing. The theme for AIDS week is: Men make a difference: Stop denial! Face AIDS.
