Back to Index

Guidelines on working with YPLHIV
Stop AIDS Now
February 23, 2012

Download this document
- Acrobat PDF version (777KB)
If you do not have the free Acrobat reader on your computer, download it from the Adobe website by clicking here

Introduction

Why this Guide?

Life skills and sexuality education programmes usually only focus on HIV negative young people. And HIV prevention seems to be the main target of many of such programmes. However, HIV positive youth also need our attention and care. Fact is that worldwide 40% of all new HIV infections are among young boys and girls, while every day 2,500 other young people are infected. To address the specific needs of young people living with HIV (YPLHIV), this practical Guide has been developed. The Guide aims to motivate and support professionals who work with young people in life skills and sexuality education programmes and those who develop policies and design programmes in public and private institutions, for instance in schools. It explains how, with small adjustments, existing educational activities can provide HIV positive youth - without disclosing their status - with skills to cope with their status and lead a fulfilling life. Are you a teacher, educator or programme implementer? Then this Guide will assist you in finding ways to address the needs of HIV infected young people in your professional environment.

How to use this Guide?

We advise users of this Guide to go through it step by step. To address the needs of HIV positive young people, first of all you have to find out about the effectiveness of your programme. To this end, you can fill out the Checklist that is incorporated in this Guide (Chapter 1). The Checklist covers six items plus accompanying questions that are related to the needs of young people living with HIV. You can fill out the Checklist together with your staff and, of course, with the youths who participate in your programme. The completed Checklist will give you insight in what you do to meet the needs of HIV positive young persons and in what areas you could strengthen your programme. Then go through the recommendations and advice on how to improve your. Finally, design your own action plan.

Why focus on young people living with HIV?

Nowadays, HIV infected people can lead happy and productive lives, provided that they receive timely treatment and take good care of themselves. Yet, HIV positive young people are faced with various challenges. Professionals who work with them, such as teachers and programme implementers, are in a position to detect these challenges and to find ways to meet the needs of HIV positive youths.

Download full document

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP