Health and Human Development - AIDS Education, Prevention and Care
Project
AIDS Education, Prevention and Care Project
An AIDS Education, Prevention and Care Project operates in Ranong, a small
fishing town bordering on Burma and Thailand. There are large numbers of
temporary fishermen, Thais and border traders including drug peddlers in
the town. Many who live near the border do not speak Thai so they do not
comprehend any preventative or educational messages written in Thai
regarding AIDS.
The Thai government has sought help from Non Government Organisations to
address the spread of AIDS and HIV throughout Thailand. Free condoms and
culturally appropriate educational material in both Thai and Burmese aimed
at changing high-risk behaviours, are distributed by the Ministry of Health
in Thailand. However, the high mobility of the traders and fisherman makes
it difficult for them to access the medical facilities and gather
appropriate information about AIDS and HIV in terms of preventative and
counselling strategies.
Overall, the strength of this program lies in the fact that it has built
upon the experience gathered by other projects undertaken by the World
Vision Foundation of Thailand. This has enabled the testing of educational
material and the development of appropriate skills amongst staff, making
best use of local resources and ensuring that the strategy is consistent
with local needs.
