Introduction: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused

by thehuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV).[1][2][3] The illness interferes with the immune system making people with AIDS much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not affect people with working immune systems. This susceptibility gets worse as the disease continues. HIV is transmitted in many ways, such as anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. It can be transmitted by any contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid that has the virus in it, such as the blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, or breast milk from an infected person.[4][5] The virus and disease are often referred to together as HIV/AIDS. The disease is a major health problem in many parts of the world, and is considered apandemic, a disease outbreak that is not only present over a large area but is actively spreading.[6] In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there are 33.4 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, with 2.7 million new HIV infections per year and 2.0 million annual deaths due to AIDS.[7] In 2007, UNAIDS estimated: 33.2 million people worldwide had AIDS that year; AIDS killed 2.1 million people in the course of that year, including 330,000 children, and 76% of those deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.[8] According to UNAIDS 2009 report, worldwide some 60 million people have been infected since the start of the pandemic, with some 25 million deaths, and 14 million orphaned children in southern Africa alone.[9] Genetic research indicates that HIV originated in west-central Africa during the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.[10][11] AIDS was first recognized by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1981 and its cause, HIV, identified in the early 1980s.[12] Although treatments for HIV/AIDS can slow the course of the disease, there is no known cure or HIV vaccine. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both thedeaths and new infections from HIV/AIDS, but these drugs are expensive and the medications are not available in all countries.
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Due to the difficulty in

treating HIV infection, preventing infection is a key aim in controlling the AIDS pandemic, with health organizations promoting safe sex and needle-exchange programmes in attempts to slow the spread of the virus. Objectives y y y To help readers understand how HIV is passed on and how the virus affects health To increase awareness among church and community leaders of their capacity to encourage a positive community response to HIV and AIDS in their local area To facilitate change in the attitudes and behaviour which increase the spread of HIV infection

To challenge attitudes towards people who are living with HIV or AIDS, so that communities support them and meet their emotional and practical needs y To raise awareness among local people of the value of organising the community to take action to meet the needs caused by the impact of HIV and AIDS Anticipated outcomes y y y y y y y y y y y Increased awareness among local leaders of their capacity to support change in their community and of the value of organising local people to take action Increased awareness among readers of how HIV spreads and affects health Positive change in attitudes and behaviour which decrease the spread of HIV infection Increased understanding and compassion among readers for the needs of people living with HIV and their carers Effective and ongoing community mobilisation to support people living with HIV, their families and carers, and children affected or orphaned by HIV and AIDS Improved access to education and health facilities for those affected by HIV and AIDS Increase in positive attitudes towards and acceptance of people living with HIV and AIDS Reduced impact of HIV and AIDS on poor communities More relaxed and open discussion within families resulting in a reduction in domestic violence and fewer disagreements Local organisations working together effectively at all levels to support positive responses to the impact of HIV and AIDS.

Suggestions: For some people abstinence may not be realistic. Therefore, there are many ways you can reduce your risk of acquiring HIV if you choose to have sex or use needles. 1. Know your partner(s) sexual history. Ask questions how many partners have they had? ; did they use a barrier each and every time consistently and correctly? ; did they know their partners sexual history? ; etc. 2. Know the testing history of your partner(s). Ask questions have they been tested for HIV? ; if so, when? ; have they been tested for other STIs? , if so, when? If their last HIV antibody test was two years ago, then it s not a very accurate measurement of their status. 3. Know your own status get tested for HIV antibodies and other STIs. Be in a mutually monogamous relationship. Only have sex with one person who is only having sex with you. 5. If monogamy isn t realistic for you, then limit the number of sexual partners you have. The more partners you have, the greater your chances are of acquiring an STI, including HIV. 6. Use a barrier each and every time you engage in sex (oral, anal, or vaginal sex). Follow package directions when using any of the following. a. Condoms (latex or polyurethane) can be used for vaginal sex and oral sex on a male. There are male

and female condoms and either can be used to reduce the risk of most STIs, including HIV. b. Oral/dental dams can be used to reduce the risk of acquiring STIs through oral sex on the vagina or anus. c. Finger cots or latex gloves can be used to reduce the risk of STIs through fingering/digital sex as well as fisting. Note: Use of a spermicide/nonoxynol 9/N-9 will actually INCREASE your risk of acquiring a STI, especially ones like HIV, through sexual activity. Therefore, spermicides are NOT recommended to use during sexual activity as a strategy to avoid getting HIV or STIs. 7. If you choose to use injection drugs, cleaning the needles with a mixture of bleach and warm water after every injection can reduce the risk.