AIDS awareness poster in Zambia
ABC versus SAVE
NGOs, that’s non governmental organisations, often talk in acronyms much to the annoyance of others. Christian Aid is no different, constantly introducing new ones. When it comes to HIV prevention the latest addition, SAVE, might actually do what it conveniently spells.
The doctrine of ABC has long been viewed as the foundation of comprehensive HIV prevention programmes. ‘ABC’ stands for ‘Abstinence; Be faithful; and use Condoms.’
ABC has often been presented as: abstain; if you can’t abstain, then be faithful; and if you can’t be faithful, then use a condom – the implication being that people should abstain, and condoms are a last resort. This has had the unfortunate consequence of adding to the stigma surrounding HIV.
ABC is not well suited to the complexities of human life. Many women are faithful but still vulnerable to HIV because of their partners’ sexual behaviour. Another of ABC’s weaknesses is that it focuses purely on sexual transmission and doesn’t acknowledge other factors, the transmission of HIV from mother to child, for example.
The (deep breath) African Network of HIV-affected Religious Leaders living with or personally Affected by HIV and AIDS, better known as Anerela+, has developed a new model for a comprehensive HIV response, called SAVE, which many organisations Christian Aid deals with have begun to adopt.
ABC has often been presented as: abstain; if you can’t abstain, then be faithful; and if you can’t be faithful, then use a condom – the implication being that people should abstain, and condoms are a last resort. This has had the unfortunate consequence of adding to the stigma surrounding HIV.
ABC is not well suited to the complexities of human life. Many women are faithful but still vulnerable to HIV because of their partners’ sexual behaviour. Another of ABC’s weaknesses is that it focuses purely on sexual transmission and doesn’t acknowledge other factors, the transmission of HIV from mother to child, for example.
The (deep breath) African Network of HIV-affected Religious Leaders living with or personally Affected by HIV and AIDS, better known as Anerela+, has developed a new model for a comprehensive HIV response, called SAVE, which many organisations Christian Aid deals with have begun to adopt.
SAVE
Safer practices
Available medications
Voluntary counselling and testing
Empowerment
Available medications
Voluntary counselling and testing
Empowerment
What does it really mean?
Safer practices.
Use condoms; be faithful; practice abstinence. Use sterile needles and syringes for injections, and make sure blood transfusions are tested for HIV and that pregnant women are given antiretrovirals and other care to prevent them passing on HIV to their children. Use standard hygienic precautions, such as gloves and clean needles for all patients.
Available medications.
Antiretrovirals – medications that fight HIV – aren’t the only drugs. The illnesses that tend to go with HIV – tuberculosis, pneumonia, fungal infections – can be treated, too. People who are HIV-positive also need good nutrition and clean water.
Voluntary counselling and testing.
If you know you’re HIV-positive, you can save lives. You can get the treatment you need, and you can avoid transmitting HIV to others.
Everyone should have access to voluntary testing and counselling. People who are ignorant of their HIV status, or who are not cared for, are more likely to cause new HIV infections.
Empowerment.
Ignorance is the biggest factor driving the spread of HIV. People who know about HIV and can make informed decisions about sex can protect themselves and others. Empowerment, especially of women, is key to stopping HIV.
So that's it. A bit of a mouthful but it seems more realistic than ABC. Whether it'll make a difference remains to be seen.
This will no doubt be one of the subjects up for discussion at this year's HIV conference in Toronto, Canada.
Use condoms; be faithful; practice abstinence. Use sterile needles and syringes for injections, and make sure blood transfusions are tested for HIV and that pregnant women are given antiretrovirals and other care to prevent them passing on HIV to their children. Use standard hygienic precautions, such as gloves and clean needles for all patients.
Available medications.
Antiretrovirals – medications that fight HIV – aren’t the only drugs. The illnesses that tend to go with HIV – tuberculosis, pneumonia, fungal infections – can be treated, too. People who are HIV-positive also need good nutrition and clean water.
Voluntary counselling and testing.
If you know you’re HIV-positive, you can save lives. You can get the treatment you need, and you can avoid transmitting HIV to others.
Everyone should have access to voluntary testing and counselling. People who are ignorant of their HIV status, or who are not cared for, are more likely to cause new HIV infections.
Empowerment.
Ignorance is the biggest factor driving the spread of HIV. People who know about HIV and can make informed decisions about sex can protect themselves and others. Empowerment, especially of women, is key to stopping HIV.
So that's it. A bit of a mouthful but it seems more realistic than ABC. Whether it'll make a difference remains to be seen.
This will no doubt be one of the subjects up for discussion at this year's HIV conference in Toronto, Canada.
 |
|
|
Terms & Conditions © Christian Aid 2007