Tips and tools

WELLBEING: HIV AND AIDS, PREVENTION AND CARE:
Tips and tools

Tips and Tools

Sample information brochure on HIV and AIDS
(World Agroforestry Center)

The impact of HIV and AIDS across geographic regions

Sample policy statement on HIV/AIDS (CIFOR)

Resources on the Internet for HIV and AIDS management in the workplace

CGIAR information resources on HIV and AIDS

Sample information brochure on HIV and AIDS (World Agroforestry Center)

World Agroforestry Center has, over the last several years, conducted a major campaign to prevent and care for people with HIV and AIDS. This campaign has had several innovations, one of which was the preparation and distribution of a booklet “HIV/AIDS information for employees and families”.

It is not feasible to reproduce the booklet on this Web site. However the contents can be inferred from the list of chapters and subheadings within each, which are presented below. Note that most of the sub-headings are presented as commonly-asked questions about HIV/AIDS.

One elegant feature of this booklet is its compact size (A5). Thus, it can be slipped discreetly into a coat pocket or purse.

CONTENTS
Overview:
Institutional commitments regarding HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS policy in the workplace

foster a spirit of understanding and compassion
raise awareness on HIV/AIDS and encourage its prevention among staff
not require pre-employment HIV/AIDS testing
treat HIV/AIDS like any other serious illness

Chapter 1: HIV/AIDS – basic facts and statistics

What is HIV?
Are there different types of HIV?
How does one get infected?
In which ways is HIV not transmitted?
Is it safe to work in the same room or office with an HIV-infected person?
What is the origin of HIV?
Do sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the chance of getting HIV infected?
What is AIDS?
How does HIV lead to AIDS?
How can I talk to my children about HIV/AIDS?
How long can one live after HIV infection?
How can I know if someone is infected with HIV?
What is the meaning of the RED RIBBON?
How accurate are the HIV/AIDS statistics issued by governments and international organizations?
How serious is the AIDS epidemic?

Chapter 2: HIV Testing

How can one find out if he/she is HIV infected?
How reliable are HIV tests?
Why is the HIV antibody test inappropriate for testing of infants and young children?
What is the WINDOW PERIOD?
Given the problem of the window period, is blood transfusion safe?
Where can one go for an HIV test?
Is it true that a person can be infected while his/her sexual partner is not infected?
Can the status of an HIV-infected person change from positive to negative?
But how is it possible for a couple that is sexually active to be discordant?
Why is it important for one to know their HIV status?

Chapter 3: HIV Prevention

How can I protect myself from the sexual transmission of HIV?
How to use a male condom
How to use a female condom
If I am infected, and my partner is also infected, do we still need to use condoms?
Are condoms really effective in preventing HIV infection?
If an HIV positive woman is pregnant, how can she protect her baby from getting infected?
Is there an HIV vaccine?
Can HIV transmission following rape be prevented?
Is there a relationship between drug abuse and HIV infection?

Chapter 4: Living with AIDS

What should I do if I am HIV infected?
When should one start taking ARVs?
What is CD4 cell count?
Why should one wait for CD4 cell count to fall to 200 per ml before starting treatment? Is this not dangerous?
How to ARV drugs work?
Are ARVs a cure for HIV/AIDS?
How should I take my ARVs?
Do ARVs have serious side effects?
Can I transmit HIV to my partner if I am on ARVs?
Are there alternative medicines or therapies that can treat HIV/AIDS?
If I am HIV positive what diet is recommended?
How can I take care of an HIV-infected relative or friend at home?
How can I get more information about HIV/AIDS?

Appendices:

Useful Web sites on HIV/AIDS information
World Agroforestry Centre HIV/AIDS Focal Point Leaders’ contacts