World AIDS Day Campaign – Lithuania (LiMSA)

Name of the activity: World AIDS Day Campaign

Country/NMO: Lithuania (LiMSA)

Program: HIV/AIDS & Other STIs

Type of the activity: Campaign

General description:

A statement on HIV stigma in health care sector concerning medical students wasprepared by NORA; in a joint project with other organisations, it was published in 4 news articles in Lithuania’s most popular news sites; NORA participated and talked about the statement and stigma on TV and radio shows. LiMSA and Demetra Association of HIV affected Women and Their Family organised an HIV testing and condom distribution event on WAD. Demetra provided the facilities while LiMSA members helped with all other tasks during the event, including inviting people to take an HIV test, informing them about HIV stigma and facts and distributing condoms etc. In order to reduce stigma in medical students, an interactive lecture was prepared and presented by Demetra speaker for the LiMSA members and an open space discussion was held afterwards. Also, LiMSA was contacted by high schools requesting sexuality education activities on World AIDS day, therefore, LiMSA members prepared an interactive quiz and facilitated it for the high schools students as well as interactive activities on the topics of HIV stigma and STI transmission.

Focus area:

Prevention of all STIs or are specific STIs, STI testing, Removing stigmatization and empowering people living with HIV, Raising awareness among the general public about STIs, STI education or training for future health-care professions

Problem statement:

HIV is currently on the rise in Lithuania, and stigma in medical field continues to persists. Its comprehensive inclusion on HIV is still lacking in medical students curriculum, and a recent study showed, that Baltic region physicians still do not feel sure of their safety while treating HIV patients because of the prevalent stigma and sometimes lack of information as well.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

Lithuanian Society
Medical Students
High School students

Objectives and indicators of success:

To present a statement of the status of HIV stigma in health care sector in
Baltic countries
To test at least 200 persons on HIV
To hand out at least 1500 condoms
To facilitate sexuality education session on WAH in high schools
To organize an local interactive lecture for medical students in order to inform the about HIV and stigma (at least 10 attendees)

Methodology:

1) A statement has been prepared by NORA; in a joint project with other organisations, it has been published in 4 news articles; NORA has participated and talked about the statement on TV and radio shows;
2) LiMSA and Demetra Association of HIV affected Women and Their Family organised an HIV testing and condom distribution event on WAD. Demetra provided the facilities while LiMSA members helped with all other tasks during the event, including inviting people to take an HIV test, informing them about HIV stigma and facts and distributing condoms etc.
3) LiMSA has been contacted by high schools wishing to have some sexuality education activities on World AIDS day, therefore, LiMSA members prepared an interactive quiz and facilitated it for the high schools students;
4) An interactive lecture was prepared and presented by Demetra speaker for the LiMSA members.

Plans for evaluation:

The reach will be evaluated by the number of people that viewed the TV and radio shows and read the articles (if such information will be possible to obtain).
Medical students will be personally asked for direct feedback right after the lecture. The number of HIV tests performed and condoms distributed will be an indicator as well (it must surpass the goal that was set).