**7. References**


professionals at all levels to see their work as complementary and mutually beneficial, and to view service integration and collaboration as a key strategy for delivering quality and

The main problems related to availability, affordability and acceptability of HIV/AIDS and GBV services in this rural south African setting included many *material* limitations: variations in optimal settings for public health care; limitations in quantity and scope of practice of professional personnel; lack of physical space, resources and confidentiality; and poverty as an over-riding risk factor in HIV/AIDS and GBV. Similarly, *operational* limitations included the complexity of modern health care concepts for rural people; lack of appropriate models for rural social care; acceptability of health care in the context of violence; and poorly integrated care for HIV/AIDS and GBV. These problems may arise from health professions' maintenance of traditional features, stereotypes of rural and poorly educated populations, and differing perspectives on appropriate action related to HIV/AIDS and gender based violence. Interventions for complex social health issues such as HIV/AIDS and GBV should be judged in terms of how well they contribute to the 'recreation of community' through addressing both material and operational limitations of

public health systems, as opposed to simple incremental health gains for individuals.

This chapter reports some of the findings from a larger programme of research entitled "Transforming Violent Gender Relations to Reduce Risk of HIV/AIDS Infection among young Women and Girls." The following gave valuable support to the project as research assistants: Diane Davies, Owen Gallupe, Ncedile Mankahle, Vuyelwa Mkhize, Tobias Mngadi, S'thembile Ngidi, Cyril Nkabinde, Hana Saab, Sid Sahay and Siduduziwe Zulu. The research could not have been carried out without the co-operation of community members in the Centocow, Underberg, and Pholela areas of Sisonke District, Kwa-Zulu/Natal. In particular, we would like to thank: Gcina Radebe, District Health Manager, Sisonke; Fritse Muller and the team at RapeCrisis/Lifeline, Pietermaritzburg; the Turn Table Trust, Bulwer; the community at the Centocow Mission, especially the home-based HIV/AIDS care volunteers of Izandla Zothando, and youth of the Centocow Leadership Training Group; and the staff of the Pholela Clinic, St Apollinaris Hospital (Centocow) and

Birdsall, K., Hajiyiannis, H., Parker, W. & Nkosi, Z. (2004). *Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in* 

Campbell, L.M., Colvin, M. & Hausler, H.P. (2002). *Lessons learned from a voluntary HIV* 

*South Africa: Analysis of calls to the National AIDS Helpline.* Communicating AIDS Needs Project (CAN). Durban: Centre for AIDS Development, Research and

*counselling and testing programme in rural South Africa [abstract]*. Barcelona: 14th

accessible GBV and HIV/AIDS services in a resource-scarce environment.

**5. Conclusions** 

**6. Acknowledgement** 

**7. References** 

Christ the King Hospital (Ixopo), and associated clinics.

International Conference on AIDS.

Evaluation (CADRE).


**6** 

*Libya* 

**Education Against HIV/AIDS** 

*Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zawia, Zawia* 

Abdulbaset Elfituri, Fadela Kriem, Hala Sliman and Fathi Sherif

The sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent one of the major health problems worldwide today. The characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) demarcate the pandemic from the other communicable diseases, including the STDs. These include the rate of the virus spread, reaching epidemic proportions in some parts of the world, the magnitude of its infection and the inordinately long incubation period before symptoms development. These are in addition to the lack of curative therapy and lack of a preventive vaccine. Apart from its health and social implications, it has a huge burden on the affected patient, family and society. Thus, a global increasing attention is being paid to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore,

it is alarming for a global more coordinated education strategies against HIV/AIDS.

communication strategies targeting the youngsters as early as possible.

Adolescents are at high risk of STDs, including HIV/AIDS. Evidence shows that age between 15 and 24 years is the highly vulnerable one for the infection. About one third of HIV infection cases occur in this age group and most of them are women (CDC, 2008). The adolescents and youth are among the high risk groups, because of their propensity in indulging in risky sexual activities and drug abuse. Negative attitudes regarding prevention misconceptions of HIV/AIDS reflect a false perception of the disease among these vulnerable groups. Strong well organized actions to increase awareness and improve behaviors are imperative. This calls for a wide comprehensive information, education and

Since STDs, particularly HIV/AIDS, represent such a major health problem, more resources need to be devoted. There are several complementary ways in which STDs, including HIV/AIDS, can be controlled. Education of the public is an important control measure. The epidemic will not subside until most people around the world know how HIV is transmitted, understand how to prevent the spread of the infection and practice healthy safe behaviors (United Nations, 2002). The level of knowledge on STDs, including HIV/AIDS, and the attitudes of people are vital in preventing and eradicating the virus and disease (Binswanger, 2000). Hence, accurate and timely information, education and communication represent the best opportunity for changing life-styles and acting towards combating

**1. Introduction** 

**2. Adolescence risk for HIV/AIDS** 

**3. Education against HIV/AIDS** 


Abdulbaset Elfituri, Fadela Kriem, Hala Sliman and Fathi Sherif

*Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Zawia, Zawia Libya* 

#### **1. Introduction**

104 Social and Psychological Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Their Ramifications

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The sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent one of the major health problems worldwide today. The characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) demarcate the pandemic from the other communicable diseases, including the STDs. These include the rate of the virus spread, reaching epidemic proportions in some parts of the world, the magnitude of its infection and the inordinately long incubation period before symptoms development. These are in addition to the lack of curative therapy and lack of a preventive vaccine. Apart from its health and social implications, it has a huge burden on the affected patient, family and society. Thus, a global increasing attention is being paid to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, it is alarming for a global more coordinated education strategies against HIV/AIDS.
