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Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, Vol. 86, No. 3 doi:10.1007/s11524-009-9361-8* 2009 The New York Academy of Medicine
Adolescent and Child Health
P0101 A needs-base approach to fight HIV/AIDS among vulnerable youth in urban areas in Guyana - How are the health, social and environmental needs of disadvantaged children and adolescents met and what strategies exist to address this?
M.A. Bassier-Paltoo1, L.M. Costa Monteiro2, D.L. Ramsammy3
1Ministry of Health, Guyana, Adolescent Health, Georgetown, Guyana, 2FIOCRUZ Brasil and Ministry of Health Guyana Collaboration, Georgetown, Guyana,
3Ministry of Health, Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana
HIV/AIDS poses a signicant socio-economic challenge for Guyana. Current epidemiological data conrms the impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic among youth mainly in the urban, most populated areas. It is a developmental issue and since Guyana is recovering from decades of under-development, HIV/AIDS represent a major barrier to overcoming it. Social economic disadvantage, including poverty and lack of employment and/or skills and the increasingly migration to urban centres create a disabling environment for youth, increasing vulnerability to sexual exploitation and gender-based violence and empowering the vicious cycle of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Collaborative efforts with other ministries and external partners led to new contracts signed by the MOH and the development of age-sensitive policies. Teachers were empowered through the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programme and Sexual and Reproductive Health was included in the curriculum of both primary and secondary schools. Seventy-four youth, especially young vulnerable women, were empowered through a Job Skills Training Programme delivered in collaboration with the Board of Industrial Training, Ministry of Labour. Seven youth-friendly spaces at the community level and 19 youth-friendly health services (YFHS), with trained professionals to deliver age-related services were launched, supported by a multi-agency task force. Reproductive Health and VCT were also provided through outreaches, targeting depressed communities and vulnerable population. Lessons learned/conclusion: HIV/AIDS is predominant in urban areas and is empowered by poverty and lack of knowledge. Migration, lack of job opportunities, gender-based violence and abuse are among the causes to maintain it. Political will, coordinated efforts, knowledge and availability of health services are paramount, but to successfully ght HIV/AIDS is important to break the cycle at the individual level. The rescue of family values/ support and the social economical empowerment...