Ukraine Safer Sex Campaign - Ukraine

To build local capacity, selected organisations were supported and trained on subjects including campaign and project management, public relations, and fundraising. AFEW first conducted a pre-campaign survey in November 2002 assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviour of the population being addressed. The campaign strategy was developed based on the outcomes of this survey and other research, including focus group discussions. A post-campaign survey will measure the campaign's impact.

The pre-campaign survey revealed that most young people in Ukraine do not believe that they are personally at risk of contracting HIV - approximately 40% never or seldom use condoms when having sex. To address these findings, campaign organisers sought to increase safer sex awareness among young people and advocate that they engage in open discussions on sexual health issues with their partners. Twelve television channels, as well as radio stations and outdoor billboards, urged discussion and action related to safer sex. In addition, events were held to convey the campaign message and foster interaction among young people. For example, to initiate the campaign, a TV-bridge connecting the 5 campaign cities broadcast a large youth music event called 'Let's Talk About It'. Providing concrete information and sources for help is another campaign strategy. More than 500,000 leaflets and 10,000 posters were distributed to young people with the help of a wide range of youth organisations. Among other practical information, the leaflet provides a list of anonymous testing centres and places to go for further information and support.

Youth, HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health.

According to organisers, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is currently growing faster in the countries of the former Soviet Union than anywhere else in the world. They say that Ukraine was the first country in the region to face an HIV epidemic and is continuing to experience an outbreak. As of July 2003, there were 57,140 registered cases of HIV. However, UNAIDS estimates that approximately 1% of the adult population is living with HIV - the highest adult prevalence rate to date in Europe. During the last 5 years, HIV has been spreading particularly rapidly among injecting drug users but; now it is spreading to the general population through sexual intercourse. In 2000, approximately 30% of newly registered cases of HIV in Ukraine had been sexually transmitted, compared to 10% in previous years.

AFEW, a Novib Oxfam Netherlands counterpart, is an international, non-governmental, humanitarian, public health organisation whose mission is to contribute to the reduction of the impact of HIV/AIDS in the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union.