UNESCO taps social media in campaign vs HIV/AIDS

JAKARTA – A United Nations body believes that the social networking media-based information campaign on HIV/AIDS used in Indonesia can work in the Philippines because of the similar geographical make up.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Jakarta provides correct information on the transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to young Indonesians aged 15 to 24 through video-conferencing, E-learning, and social networking microblogging site Twitter.

UNESCO HIV-AIDS and School Health coordinator Ahmed Afzal said this style of information drive can succeed in the Philippines because both countries have a similar geographical make up.

“Definitely (the information campaign can work in the Philippines because the) Philippines has the same geography as Indonesia and has so many islands. This would be a strong measure to reduce the gap between the students and information in areas that are highly populated,” said Afzal.

He said the project is still in the preliminary stage in the Philippines.

According to the 2010 UNAIDS Global Report, the Philippines is one of seven countries where HIV incidents increased by 25 percent between 2001 and 2009.

UNESCO recently commissioned a five-member team led by Dr. Evalina Vicencio of the University of the East (UE) to conduct a research titled “Philippine Education Sectors’ Response to HIV, Drugs and Sexuality.”

The research showed that the youth sector is considered as a “high risk” category in the transmission of HIV.

It was also mentioned in the study that the HIV prevalence rate in the country is still low at 0.1 percent of the total population but has been growing at an alarming rate in the last five years.

From 2007 to 2010, the number of cases reported every year increased four times.

Afzal said the UNESCO can provide training to teachers to make them capable of disseminating information on HIV/AIDS to the youth.

“We are helping UE to review the education sector on HIV, drugs and sexuality and that the review, once completed, would provide recommendations for our follow up steps,” Afzal said.

He noted that information must trickle down to the youth in the provinces where it is most needed.

The HIV/AIDS information campaign in Indonesia encourages the youth to participate in video conferences moderated by a lecturer. So far, more than 200 students in the tertiary level have signed up for the program.

Those who cannot join the video conferences because of conflicting class schedules can access materials on E-learning during their free time.

Students are also encouraged to discuss topics such as HIV/AIDS, drugs, and smoking during school orientations.

They may also access materials on Twitter, which has a huge following in Indonesia. –Evelyn Macairan (The Philippine Star)