UNIT NINE: AIDS

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this Unit, students should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning and characteristics of HIV and AIDS.

2. List the local names of AIDS.

3. Mention the causes of AIDS and describe the routes by which AIDS is transmitted.

4. Describe the risky behaviours cultural practices, peer and social pressures that promote the spread of AIDS.

5. Discuss the cultural and social practices that prevent the spread of AIDS

6. List and discuss ways of preventing and controlling the spread of AIDS.

7 Explain the role of the individuals, family and community in control of AIDS and recognise their stand point to certain attitudes and beliefs.

8. Practise healthy life styles that help to prevent the spread of AIDS.

9. Discuss the social, economic and political implications of AIDS to the individual family, community and Nation.

10. Identify the needs of people with AIDS and suggest ways of assisting them and overcome fears and prejudices against persons with AIDS.

11. State the Ugandan laws governing sex.

12. State the role of Uganda AIDS Commission

13. Demonstrate the ability to teach about HIV/AIDS to children.

TOPICS

1. Introduction:

(a) Meaning of HIV and AIDS
(b) Brief history and local names of AIDS e.g. slim, Kavera etc.

NB. Presently there is no cure for AIDS and no vaccines.

2. Cause of AIDS

(a) Virus - Human Immune deficiency virus (HIV)
(b) Cell attacked by the virus e.g. Immune cells, nerve cells, and some gut cells.

3. Modes of transmission.

(a) A sexually transmitted disease.

(b) Other modes of transmission e.g. blood transfusion, pernatal, unsterilized instruments used on the body (for circumcision, tattooing, piercing nose and ears etc..)

4. Risky behaviours/practices e.g. prostitution/abuse of alcohol (drunkardness) etc.

5. Incubation period of HIV - varying from individual to individual.

6. Signs and symptoms of AIDS.

These will be the signs and symptoms of other diseases as the immune system is damaged and the body is open to many infections e.g. opportunistic infections like T.B., sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

7. Cultural and social practices and beliefs that promote AIDS e.g. circumcision, wife inheritence etc..

8. Prevention of AIDS

There is no cure for AIDS and preventive measures are:

(a) AIDS education
(b) Cultural and social practices that prevent spread e.g. faithful marriage etc..
(c) Avoid risky behaviours/practices.
(d) Learn to handle peer/social pressures.
(e) Roles and responsibilities of self, family and community in prevention of AIDS.

10. Care for people with AIDS.

(a) Counselling, there are some organisations that one can go to for counselling. e.g. Taso, Experiment for International Living (EIL), AIDS information Centre, Church organisations, Women in development etc..

(b) Positive living e.g.

(i) Care for one’s self
(ii) HIV positive should avoid pregnancy
(ii) improved nutrition

(c) Supportive care

(d) Treatment of signs and symptoms of AIDS (NO CURE for AIDS).

(e) Spiritual care

(f) Home care versus hospital care.

(g) Safety for the people caring for the people with AIDS.

(h) Socio - economic and political implications of AIDS to the individual, family, community and nation.

11. How to overcome fears and prejudices about AIDS.

EVALUATION

1. Written exercises e.g. assignments, tests, examination etc.
2. Observation of the level of participation during the session.
3. Oral exercises e.g. debates, question and answer.
4. Interviews.

TEACHING AIDS

1. Posters
2. Charts
3. Pictures
4. Real specimen - People with AIDS (P.W.A)
5. Films

6. Film Strips eg. at ITEK
7. Videos e.g.

(a) Philly Lutaaya
(b) Taso Video
(c) Riddle Video
(d) Hydra video
(e) Ndiwulira Video.

SUGGESTED REFERENCES

1. What is AIDS, manual for health workers - B. Rubenson

2. Living with AIDS in the community - ACP, TASO, UNICEF and WHO.

3. The caring community, coping with AIDS in Urban Uganda - G. Williams and N. Tamale.

4. AIDS Surveillance reports - MOH Entebbe.

5. Research on Education aspects of AIDS in Uganda - UNICEF, MOH, MOE.

6. Education against AIDS - J. Hanvry and B. Wallace

7. From Fear to Hope: AIDS care and prevention - Chickankita Hospital, Zambia.

9. Living positively with AIDS: TASO Uganda.

10. Progress on the AIDS Epidemic in Uganda - MOH - Entebbe.

11. Facts for life - UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO.

12. School Health Education Implication for AIDS Control - E.M. Ankral, C.B. Rwabukwali.

13. AIDS Management: an Integrated approach - UNESCO

14. AIDS Crisis

15. Helping Health Workers to learn - AMREF.

16. The Riddle - based on play of Dr. H. Masembe

17. The Hydra - by Sarah Birungi, Kiyimba Musisi and Peter Claver Lwanga

Any Other suggested materials.