Activity 1: The basics of AIDS

Objective:

• To introduce basic AIDS information through self teaching methods. To stimulate discussion about AIDS.

Target Group:

• Secondary students and adults

Materials:

• Copies of the AIDS information Sheet, scissors, colored pens

Note: You will need one sheet for every five people, e.g., if you have 25 people you will need five sheets.

Preparation:

• Mark copies of the AIDS Information Sheet by drawing a circle of the same color around each numeral. For example, draw a red circle around #1 through #5. Do this to a few sheets marking each sheet with a different color, such as green or blue.

• Cut each sheet into the five separate sections making certain that each slip includes the number, message and color identification. Mark and cut enough sheets to provide one slip for each participant.

Directions:

• Distribute one slip cut from the AIDS Information Sheet to each participant.

• Have all the participants separate into groups according to the number on their slip (e.g. all the #Is form a group etc.).

• Give these groups approximately 10 minutes to discuss their messages among themselves.

** During this time the facilitator should be moving among the groups answering any questions brought up or adding information, as deemed appropriate.

• Now instruct all the participants to separate into new groups according to their color. Each group should include 5 people, each with a different number, 1 through 5.

• In turn, each person will read their message to their group starting with the person with message #1. The groups will present and discuss the messages for approximately 15 minutes.

** Once again, facilitators should move among the groups answering questions and adding information.

• Ask the groups to help summarize the activity together.

AIDS INFORMATION SHEET

1. AIDS is caused by a virus (HIV) which attacks and disables the body's defence system.

- This defence system is called the immune system.

- People who are infected with the AIDS virus are HIV positive.

- People with AIDS die. Life expectancy for HIV infected persons is five to fifteen years. They die because they have little or no protection (no antibodies) from many diseases. These opportunistic diseases include:

* cancer

* typhoid fever

* tuberculosis (TB),

* pneumonia...and many others.

2. AIDS is a very dangerous disease.

- There is no vaccine.

- There is no cure.

- People infected with the AIDS virus may not know they have the disease. They may show no symptoms and feel perfectly healthy for three to fifteen years. During this time they are capable of transmitting AIDS to others. Eventually, they will get very sick and they will die.

3. How is AIDS transmitted (how do people get the disease)?

- By having sexual intercourse with someone who is infected with the AIDS virus. (One sexual contact can allow the AIDS virus to pass from one person to another.)

- By exchanging blood.

- Drug users who share needles are at risk.

- Women who are HIV positive can pass the disease to their unborn children. This is happening all over Thailand.

4. You can not get AIDS by:

- casual touching or hugging

- eating or drinking together

- swimming in pools

- telephones or other objects

- sharing clothes

- sharing bathrooms

- mosquitos or other insects

- tears, saliva, sweat

5. How do you protect yourself and your family?

- Say "No" to casual sex. Wait until you are truly sure your partner is not HIV positive.

- Safe sex. The best way is one partner. Your partner should not have sex with anyone else. If there ever is a question, you must use a condom every time.

- Never use some one else's needle (syringe).

- Do not use drugs, stay sober. This will help you control your risk behavior.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR HEALTH. HELP OTHERS UNDERSTAND AIDS.