ADRA's HIV and AIDS Response
ADRA is working to reduce the impact of AIDS on all fronts: From educating migrant workers on the transmission of HIV, to providing testing and counseling clinics in Papua New Guinea, to caring for the orphans that AIDS leaves behind.
The following five areas are brief overviews and true stories of ADRA’s work combating the global pandemic of HIV and AIDS:
Education
Positive behavior change occurs through a process. The first step in this process is developing a relationship with those ADRA is working with. Learning takes place when the learner has trust and confidence in the educator. ADRA works hard at developing professional relationships with our partners. From there ADRA provides education on facts, dispelling myths and providing alternative cultural and behavioral options as part of ADRA’s HIV education. ADRA provides education through a variety of local partners such as schools, youth, women, men and faith based groups. Follow-up, refresher and continuing education are key to ADRA’s education programs.
Articles on ADRA's Work in HIV and AIDS Education
Prevention
ADRA understands the importance of prevention in respect to HIV and AIDS. We talk about prevention in two aspects. The first is of the utmost importance in the prevention of acquiring the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The second and equally as important is to help enable the infected to live longer and healthier lives by prevention of the progression of HIV to AIDS. These prevention messages are covered in a variety of fora and to varied audiences through ADRA’s education programs.
Articles on ADRA's Work in HIV and AIDS Prevention
Testing
While ADRA does not provide direct service delivery of clinical procedures, because of ADRA’s vast network of offices and subsequent partners, ADRA refers clients to appropriate testing and counseling centers. Client confidentiality is also important and ADRA will continue follow-up and in some cases linking with local providers to provide home-based-care if the client prefers. Testing however, is much more than "just testing." The pretest and follow-up for either care or prevention counseling is equally as important.
Treatment
While ADRA does not provide direct service delivery for clinical treatment with Anti-retrovirals (ARVs), because of ADRA’s vast network of offices and subsequent partners, ADRA refers clients to appropriate facilities who are best positioned to provide testing and the needed clinical follow-up. However, as part of our education program ADRA advocates for the importance of living a healthy lifestyle as part of a well thought out and implemented treatment plan. These include in moderation a balanced diet, exercise, clean water (inside and out), fresh-air and sunshine, rest, and a positive outlook.
Articles on ADRA's Work in Treatment of HIV and AIDS
Working With Children
Regardless of the country, children are its future. The importance placed on children’s health, education as well as physical and mental wellbeing is reflected in the health and success of a country. ADRA’s work with children starts with a mother’s health and the planning of her family before she conceives. It continues through parent/adult education and support from infancy until adulthood. ADRA believes in facilitation of establishing appropriate and meaningful relationships between children and respected adults.
Articles on ADRA's Work with Children Affected by HIV and AIDS
