HIV Q&A.

A “massive national survey” to find out the public’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviour toward HIV will be conducted by the University of the West Indies on behalf of the National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC).

This announcement was made yesterday by head of the NACC, Angela Lee Loy who said field work for the research project will begin at the end of this month. She said it will be combined with HIV screening.

Speaking at the launch of the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Programme at the Success Laventille Health Centre Espinet Street, Laventille, Lee Loy said VCT was an important step in a series of initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of HIV.

She said NACC was coordinating personnel who will be “implementers” in prevention, treatment, care and support, advocacy/human rights, surveillance/research, programme management and resource mobilistion. Lee Loy announced the NACC will be redesigning and disseminating “to each and every household” the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre booklet of frequently asked questions on HIV/AIDS.

The revised booklet will be promoted with a sustained marketing and promotion strategy.

She said the NACC will embark on a major communications drive involving several groups and individuals, including religious organisations, midwives, youth groups, the Toco Foundation, chutney performers, the Ministry of Community Development and persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Lee Loy said in the past people had the attitude that it was better not to know their HIV status and getting tested was a waste of time since nothing could be done if the result was positive.

She said with antiretrovial medication lives have been saved and health preserved. Lee Loy said HIV testing offered an entry point for counselling, and testing services no matter what the individual’s status may be.

On a larger scale, she said increased testing allowed the NACC to estimate the country’s HIV levels and assess the risk groups and risk factors.

She said facilities may not be fully utilised because of stigma and discrimination.

To deal with this, she said the NACC was implementing a range of strategies: education programmes, legislative assessment and media series using performer Maximus Dan and others. In the battle against HIV, Lee Loy said the country could take courage from the Soca Warriors.

She said the team gave the country hope “that we can rise even higher” against all the odds. She said people should hold on to the inspiration they gave. She appealed to people not to take down their national flags because “they are a beacon of hope at a time we need it badly.”