¡We can no longer be a bunch of empty minds living in critical times refusing to recognize real lies!

Thursday, 30 July 2009

¿WHAT IS THE NEXT ERA OF HIV PREVENTION?



HIV prevention has had two previous "eras" of prevention. When HIV/AIDS first broke, the primary message was "don’t get HIV or you’ll die." This era was before the time of effective medication (pre-1996). Once the field discovered some basic medications, the second era of HIV started where prevention attempts had an implicit assumption that we would be able to eradicate the spread of HIV.


However, today we need a third era of HIV prevention and I have a few ideas on what the new era should look like. We need an approach that affirms the importance of HIV prevention without using fear as the primary motivator. We also need to acknowledge the reality that HIV is no longer considered a deadly illness but is now a chronic illness. Don’t get me wrong; HIV is extremely serious, but, we might be able to learn from other prevention programs, smoking for example, in developing better HIV prevention.


We also need to see risky sexual behaviors as a symptom rather than the problem. Co-occurring problems such as drug and alcohol use, mental health concerns, sexual compulsivity, and poverty are but a few of the related issues that need to be addressed in prevention.
SO HOW DO YOU THINK THE COMMUNITY SHOULD MOVE FORWARD?


11 comments:

  1. Well, I guess some fear technique is still necessary. I get the feeling that there's a sort of bareback comeback among younger people who are not so well acquainted with HIV.

    But I guess the emphasis should be on your responsibility towards others instead of just on your individual fear. It's not only "I don't wanna be HIV positive", but also "I don't wanna be an HIV transmitter". If you wanna play Russian roulette, that's your business, but you need to realize you might be unknowingly putting others in an unrequired predicament.

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  2. I agree with Eduardo.

    As a "younger" person, there is still a lack of information being given about the risks, transmission and how to live with it. I've lived my sexual life thinking "I don't feel ill, so I must be fine", when that really isn't the case. I've only recently taken my first HIV test (at 21), and now I'm terrified.

    Education is the key, no matter what the issue.

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  3. You can never stress enough safe sex...your blog is very educational and love being here man. Stay sweet!

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  4. People just don't care anymore. They aren't scared of it like they used to be.

    Most guys I have been with the last couple years want it raw and don't even mention rubbers. I have a box with my tub of lube and my cum-rags folded neatly but they never reach for them.

    I can't save the world. *shrugs*

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  5. Play safe is important. A.I.D.S Kills. Everybody have to talk about that. I get so angry when I hear about bareback-partys and all this shit!

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  6. I believe that HIV prevention methods these days should consist of both methods used earlier. The fear tactic, and hiv/aids education. As the posters above mentioned, younger people don't give much regard to the dangers involved engaging in unprotected sex. If they had the opportunity to be directly involved (possibly as a caretaker) with someone who is in the "last stages" of aids, it would put a face to the ghost they know as aids/hiv. I also believe that the more mature gay community (myself included) should take responsibility for "our own" and sponsor meetings/group discussions/forums for discussing hiv/aids prevention and the reality of living with hiv/aids instead of being so involved with ourselves. This blog is an example of taking that responsibility of reaching masses of people and starting that discussion....getting the information out there. It is very tragic that so many of our talented youth are basically throwing away their lives for a few moments of pleasure.

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  7. SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , SAFE SEX , ,,,,,,and i think i'm in luv with the dude(pic) on your blog.

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  8. Taking responsibility for our own health is a start, the fear tactics didn't do much although there are ststics to show that what CDC and others warned us of came to realization.

    Stop the risky behavior, use protection when being sexually active, know your partner(s) get proof of HIV status (yes the clinic can provide you with proof if you test other than anonymous). Now this isn't the most comfortable way to start out a date, but it could save a life or two.

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  9. EDUARDO – I THINK SOME FEAR TECHNIQUE IS STILL NEEDED, BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO SCARE THESE YOUNG KIDS NOW A DAYS…

    SANYA – I HAD NO IDEA THAT YOU WERE SO YOUNG (NOT THAT YOU LOOK OLD) JUST THAT YOUR ENERGY ISNT THAT OF A YOUNG PERSON…

    OYIN – THANK YOU…TRYING TO GET AS SWEET AS YOU…

    KEISHA – SUCH A SHAME HUH?

    BJORNS – MAKES ME ANGRY AS WELL…

    MIKE – I LIKE THAT CARETAKER IDEA…

    DEEWAN – KEEP SAYING IT…

    CHET – TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR HEALTH IS A MUST INDEED…

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  10. Fear?! theres always going to be a level of fear. I think that there should be...Cus this shit is scary. Living with HIV is nothing to take lightly. No it isnt the same as before and can be managed...but shit i dont want to manage it. I have having to. And these young kids need to know. the information is out there....its making the decision to take care of urself better and looking out for you instead of thinking someone is going to do it for u.

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  11. TRU3LOGIC - SO HOW ABOUT WE NOMINATE YOU TO BE OUR SPOKES PERSON?

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOICE...

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