UWI students to learn about HIV/AIDS

“This is a big and important step for Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross as we will be able to specifically target students at the tertiary education-level. This is an important group that has not yet embarked upon their own programme for HIV/AIDS prevention,” said Margarita Elliot, Health Coordinator at Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross.

The programme will be a continuance of the highly successful peer educator programme of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross, also known as “Together We Can.” Within the programme young persons are trained so as to inform their peers about HIV/AIDS and other health issues; based on the experience that information about HIV and AIDS is best understood and accepted, if it is coming from someone within the same age group and similar background. As part of the University programme, 200 Peer Educators will be trained so as to be part of the project, reaching approximately 2,000 students. The training began this weekend in order to be ready for the first-year students whose semester starts in September.

“The timing of the programme to commensurate with the beginning of term is really very important,” Elliot explained, “Entering into university life means a lot of changes for the first year students, who are suddenly faced with the prospect of being away from their families and forging many new relationships.

“During this time it will be beneficial for the students to reinforce their knowledge of health and HIV/AIDS and also to be reminded, how the virus can be prevented,” Elliot said.