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HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY . IN JAMAICA By Marigold J. Thorburn, MD. HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY IN JAMAICA. THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY. HIV/AIDS IN JAMAICA Courtesy of Dr Peter Figueroa. Sero-prevalence among adults 1.5% Estimated No. with HIV/AIDS 22,000
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HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY IN JAMAICA By Marigold J. Thorburn, MD Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY IN JAMAICA THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS IN JAMAICACourtesy of Dr Peter Figueroa Sero-prevalence among adults 1.5% Estimated No. with HIV/AIDS 22,000 No. of persons in need of ARV 6,000 No. of persons currently on ARV 1,500 Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS IN JAMAICA Challenges • Achieving behaviour change – safe sex • Access to anti-retroviral drugs • Continued discrimination and stigma • Widespread complacency & inertia in the society concerning AIDS Need to strengthen leadership at all levels Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS IN JAMAICA Most of the persons living with HIV do not know that they are infected We need to significantly increase both provider and client initiated HIV testing: Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY • No special facilities or programmes for persons with disabilities • In theory they have access to any health facility Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY • Since 2004 there has been a programme supported by the EU and UNFPA for improvements in sexual and reproductive health for adolescents with disabilities Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY • SAFE MOTHERHOOD • FAMILY PLANNING • REDUCTION OF INCIDENCE OF STDs • REDUCING HIV/AIDS Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY BARRIERS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES • Independent SRH learning • Assisted SRH learning • Effective SRH service delivery Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY • There are no prevalence figures specifically for HIV/AIDS in persons with disabilities Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY • Development of materials on SRH appropriate for use with persons with disabilities. • Sensitization of health service providers, social workers and the general public on SRH needs for persons with disabilities. • Strengthening the capacity of parents of adolescents with disabilities and community members to support the SRH needs of their children Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY SRH PROJECT FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Completed so far: • KVAP qualitative study on 4 disability groups • Materials for parents and AWDs Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY • MAIN KVAP FINDINGS ON STDs • Girls more knowledgeable than boys • Aware of importance of HIV/AIDS but range of knowledge poor • Condoms identified as the best means of prevention • Agreed with voluntary HIV testing • Aware of where to get services Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY • This initiative should lead the way to the SRH needs of persons with disabilities being met better through the regular health programmes. • This combined with the increasing resources being put into HIV/AIDS should have benefits for PWDs Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY Continued cooperation and coordination between • The National Family Planning Board and • Organisations in the disability sector Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY BARRIERS TO INCLUDING PWDs IN REGULAR AIDS PROGRAMMES • Myths about the sexuality of PWDs • Attitudes of health care workers including pharmacists about providing contraceptives and other advice • Reluctance of parents and personnel to talk about the subject Presentation for World AIDS Day
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY NEXT STEPS • Implementation of educational programmes in the special education services for AWDs and parents • Encouraging and funding the Combined Disabilities Association to develop educational programmes to reach all PWDs Presentation for World AIDS Day