Educational Campaign on HIV/AIDS Preventive Measures
The research project began in April 2007 and was completed in August 2008
Funding:
United Nations Development Programme – Action for Cooperation and Trust (UNDP-Act)
Scientific Coordinators:
- DrConstantinos Phellas, Director of RUBSI and Associate Professor atSchool of Humanities, Social Sciences & Law, Intercollege, Nicosia,Cyprus
- Mr Costas Constantinou, Sociologist - Researcher, PhD Candidate in Social Anthropology of Health, University of Bristol, UK
Research Partners
Greek-Cypriots
- Gregorios HIV/AIDS Clinic, Larnaca Hospital, Ministry of Health, Cyprus
- Cyprus Family Planning Association
- KENTHEA
Turkish-Cypriots
- Cultural & Scientific Research Society (CSRS)
Background Information & Aims
The program has been initiated for the following two reasons:
- The number of people with HIV/AIDS in Cyprus (in both communities) is increased.
- Althoughthe level of awareness on HIV/AIDS is relatively high, there areindications for risk sexual behaviours in big parts of the populationof the two communities. This has been encouraged by the opening of theGreen Line and the regular contact between Greek-Cypriots andTurkish-Cypriots.
The main aim of the project was to create an integrationist educational data bank, fed by three different information sources:
- Thecreation and distribution of booklets, leaflets and posters, which willaim at raising awareness of the Cypriot population (both Greek &Turkish) around sexual behaviour,
- Seminars and Music Festivals,
- The creation of a website.
Thepurpose of this three-level educational network was the spread ofinformation and advise to the wider public and especially to the agegroup of 16-45 years (Including HIV patients), that is more likely tobe sexually active in both communities as well as the contribution tothe reduction of the HIV/AIDS virus infection in Cyprus.
Furthermore, the bi-communal nature of the project is morefacilitated if it is secured that the material produced is not delivered only in English, but also in Greek and Turkish language.
Moreover, the procedure in which the material was produced advanced onthe basis of a collaborative effort which will found a localnetwork of institutions and researchers, whose aim will be the futureresearch on HIV/AIDS in Cyprus. Based on a well developed localnetwork, it is possible to develop co operations and collaborationsamongst institutions and researchers within and across the EuropeanUnion framework.
With the material to produced, but also withthe website (www.hivincyprus.org), it is be possible to encourage and reinforce theparticipation of the civil society in both communities.
The results of the project were presented on the 23rd June 2008 (see the News)
21st May. 2010