World AIDS day is a day which was set to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and educate and fight prejudice of the people all around the world. World AIDS day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away and that there is still more to be done to eradicate it. This is a day when different nations carry out different actions to inform about HIV/AIDS to all and sundry.

Butuo County is among areas with the highest prevalence in China with 8% infection rate in the sexually active population. This is caused by drug trafficking  in the area (which led to many people getting involved in injecting drugs and sharing needles) and a combination of severe poverty and a low education level. In addition the tradition in this area supports pre-marital sex which makes the population more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

Field officers reached out to many people spreading information about HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other related issues. They also managed to distribute bags, condoms, calendars and pamphlets

In December 2016 TCE Butuo organized a campaign to mark World AIDS day. The main aim of this campaign was to spread information about HIV/AIDS  and to eliminate discrimination against AIDS patients in Butuo County.

On World AIDS day (1st of December) Women Federation Cadres and TCE Butuo staff gathered at Butuo Township Center leading the campaign under the theme ‘Action to Zero HIV/AIDS’. Representatives from Provincial Health Bureau, County Bureau of Education, Butuo County Women Federation, Workers Union and many other departments participated. Banners with the theme for the day and posters with HIV/AIDS information where placed everywhere, billboards with HIV/AIDS information and an information desk were set up where people could come for consultation. TCE Field Officers (local outreach workers) interacted with people distributing flyers, pamphlets, condoms, calendars and bags. Information about HIV/ AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and the importance of knowing one’s HIV status was shared with people who came for this occasion. The team also prepared question and answer sessions where people responded to questions and were given room to ask their own questions. Those who answered questions correctly were given calendars which contained HIV/AIDS information, bags and fans.

World AIDS Day in Butuo was a success because many people where reached with HIV/AIDS materials and information face to face.

This campaign was a success since many people were eager to approach the information desk for consultation. Many people were seen reading from the posters and flyers. The calendar is a clever way to remind on HIV/AIDS throughout the year. As part of the campaign people were taught about related infections such as Hepatitis B and about how drug abuse contributes to the spread of HIV. The team from the TCE project and other Women Federation staff also encouraged pregnant women to go to hospital for delivery.

The campaign targeted both young and old people. The team mobilized and encouraged women for antenatal care and hospital delivery and also gave out condoms to the sexually active young couples and singles.

Butuo Women Federation TCE is a 3.5 years HIV/AIDS project operating in Butuo County, Liangshan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The idea of the project during the 3.5 years campaign is to achieve total control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Butuo County reaching out to a population of 100 000 people. The project does one on one, door to door visits to all villagers reaching out to them with health education, mobilization and voluntary home based counseling and testing. The project furthermore involves a Passionate Network and training of local leaders and influential people who support in information dissemination and mobilization work. Health education provided by the project includes HIV/AIDS knowledge, basic knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), mobilizing women for prenatal care and hospital delivery, providing condoms and explaining condom use to the sexually active singles and couples.

 
This project is funded by EU and HPP Baltic.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents  of this publication are the solo responsibility of the Butuo Women Federation TCE Project  and can in no way be taken to reflect  the view of the Europen Union.