Reducing HIV Stigma by Education — Ghana (2004-2010)

Partners

Simon Fraser University
University of Ghana, Legon-Accra
University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast
University of Education, Winneba, Winneba

Funding

Canadian International Development Agency
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada [executing agency]

Description

This university partnership project provided public school teachers and youth workers the knowledge and skills to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Confronting the spread of HIV/AIDS through education changed behaviours and reduced the risks associated.

Beneficiaries

Teachers and youth workers obtained new knowledge, skills, materials and methods to teach the subject of HIV/AIDS in classrooms and communities. As a result, future generations of children will benefit from HIV/AIDS relevant information incorporated into the school curriculum, which will help diminish the stigma associated with the disease.

Results

HIV/AIDS stigma curriculum and materials designed and produced for the 120 lecturers/trainers involved in the project, of whom 90 trained 15,000 teachers through teacher education programmes, and 30 worked directly with 1,800 community youth workers
Sustained institutional capacity by increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS among teachers and youth workers to reduce the incidence of the disease
1.2 million school children benefitted from fundamental HIV/AIDS education
A minimum of 72,000 out-of-school girls and boys developed knowledge and skills in HIV/AIDS awareness, recognition and prevention