HIV/AIDS awareness in Cyprus

Educational Campaign on HIV/AIDS Preventive Measures

The research project was completed in August 2008

Funding:

United Nations Development Programme – Action for Cooperation and Trust (UNDP-Act)

Scientific Coordinators:

• Dr Constantinos Phellas, Director of RUBSI and Associate Professor at School of Humanities, Social Sciences & Law, Intercollege, Nicosia, Cyprus
• Mr Costas Constantinou, Sociologist - Researcher, PhD Candidate in Social Anthropology of Health, University of Bristol, UK

Research Partners

Greek-Cypriots

• Gregorios HIV/AIDS Clinic, Larnaca Hospital, Ministry of Health, Cyprus
• Cyprus Family Planning Association
• KENTHEA

Turkish-Cypriots

• Cultural & Scientific Research Society (CSRS)
  

Background Information & Aims

The program has been initiated for the following two reasons:

1. The number of people with HIV/AIDS in Cyprus (in both communities) is increased.
2. Although the level of awareness on HIV/AIDS is relatively high, there are indications for risk sexual behaviours in big parts of the population of the two communities. This has been encouraged by the opening of the Green Line and the regular contact between Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots.

The main aim of the project is to create an integrationist educational data bank, fed by three different information sources:

1. The creation and distribution of booklets, leaflets and posters, which will aim at raising awareness of the Cypriot population (both Greek & Turkish) around sexual behaviour,
2. Seminars and Music Festivals,
3. The creation of a website.

The purpose of this three-level educational network is the spread of information and advise to the wider public and especially to the age group of 16-45 years (Including HIV patients), that is more likely to be sexually active in both communities as well as the contribution to the reduction of the HIV/AIDS virus infection in Cyprus.

Furthermore, the bi-communal nature of the project will be more facilitated if it is secured that the material to be produced will not be delivered only in English, but also in Greek and Turkish language.

Moreover, the procedure in which the material will be produced will advance on the basis of a collaborative effort which will found a local network of institutions and researchers, whose aim will be the future research on HIV/AIDS in Cyprus. Based on a well developed local network, it is possible to develop co operations and collaborations amongst institutions and researchers within and across the European Union framework.

With the material to be produced, but also with the website, it will be possible to encourage and reinforce the participation of the civil society in both communities.