Enhancing access to HIV/AIDS prevention programs for women and young people: the professional's role
Grossman, A.H.
World Leisure Journal 43(1): 30-40
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1607-8055 DOI: 10.1080/04419057.2001.9674217Document Number: 255253
Drug and alcohol use have been forms of recreational behaviour in almost all human cultures. And in the 20th century, sexual relations became recreational as well as a means to procreation. Both of these current leisure practices contribute significantly to the growth of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic. Globally, women and young people are increasingly among those infected by HIV. Professionals in the fields of human development, education, health and leisure can play important roles in changing these new trends of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since the pandemic began, a total of 47 million people have contracted HIV, and 14 million have died of AIDS. Today, there are more than 33 million people living with the virus worldwide. Every minute of every day, approximately 11 people become newly infected with HIV. By the end of 1998, a cumulative total of 18.5 million women had been infected with HIV worldwide, and nearly 5 million had died of AIDS. Although 90% of women currently infected live in developing countries, there is an increased risk for women everywhere. Overall, it is estimated that 7000 young people aged 10-24 get infected with HIV every day, that is 5 young persons every minute. Research shows that HIV/AIDS prevention programmes are effective approaches in stemming HIV infection. This paper reports on those programmes and provides implications for meeting the prevention challenges of the new millennium. Specific implications focus on the roles of leisure, health and social service personnel, and community development professionals in organizing and joining teams for community-level intervention programmes.