H.I.V. Outreach Programme
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a serious public health concern in Belize, where the total number of HIV infections reported between 1986 and 2008 reached 4,680 in a population of only 322,000. The Caribbean is now considered the second most HIV/AIDS affected region in the world after Sub-Saharan Africa, with an HIV prevalence rate of 1.6%. And in the Caribbean, Belize has the highest estimated prevalence rate of HIV among adults aged 15-49 at 2.1%. In 2008 for the first time the number of new cases in females outnumbered those in males. In fact the groups with the highest incidence were women 15-24 years of age and men 30-49 years of age.
The YWCA Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme trains barbers and beauticians in Belize and Orange Walk Districts as HIV/AIDS educators. The programme facilitates the availability of information that is needed to make informed decisions and take control of one's life. The programme empowers the participants to be leaders in their communities. The beauty parlor, already a common community meeting place, becomes a non-threatening environment where we can reach those mostly affected by this disease. The programme also educates about safe sex and provides condoms for those whom abstinence is not an option. Since the project began, 18 barbers/beauticians in Belize City and 10 in Orange Walk have been trained as HIV educators. They also produced IEC materials for the BCC activities.
The YWCA Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme trains barbers and beauticians in Belize and Orange Walk Districts as HIV/AIDS educators. The programme facilitates the availability of information that is needed to make informed decisions and take control of one's life. The programme empowers the participants to be leaders in their communities. The beauty parlor, already a common community meeting place, becomes a non-threatening environment where we can reach those mostly affected by this disease. The programme also educates about safe sex and provides condoms for those whom abstinence is not an option. Since the project began, 18 barbers/beauticians in Belize City and 10 in Orange Walk have been trained as HIV educators. They also produced IEC materials for the BCC activities.