Education And Hiv Aids In The Caribbean

"Whilst a cure for HIV/AIDS continues to elude scientists, the number of HIV/AIDS cases continues to increase. Education becomes the key to curtailing the spread of the disease. Education and HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean describes the impact of HIV/AIDS on education in both the global and Caribbean contexts and outlines the lessons to be learnt from the global experience. The aim of the book is not only to highlight the role of education in HIV/AIDS prevention but also to look specifically at the education sector, its role and response, as well as the management of the response. It also intends to ensure that the education sector recognises the crucial role it must play in reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS. The text is complete with illustrations on the socioeconomic, health and gender aspects of the disease, and is a useful resource for anyone wanting to obtain precise information about the impact of the disease in the Caribbean. "

There are an estimated 42 million people worldwide living with HIV and AIDS. In the Caribbean, the statistics are alarming. After sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean has a higher HIV prevalence than any other area of the world. The need to control the spread of HIV is critical. Though medical advances have been successful in slowing the progress of the disease, there remains no cure for HIV and AIDS. In Challenging HIV and AIDS, the contributors, players at various levels in the education sector across the Caribbean, weigh in on the value of education as a means to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS. The contributions are unique to the Caribbean experience and culture and address the root causes of the spread of the epidemic. Reducing ignorance and the accompanying stigma and discrimination as well as addressing issues of sexuality through Health and Family Life Education in schools are identified as effective programs in addressing the epidemic.

Examine the biopsychosocial, environmental, spiritual, and policy issues that affect HIV/AIDS prevention/service delivery issues for Caribbean youth!This groundbreaking book provides an overview and informed discussion of HIV/AIDS as it affects children and adolescents in Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. With contributions from noted HIV/AIDS experts in the region, it examines the biopsychosocial, environmental, spiritual, and policy issues that impact HIV/AIDS prevention/service delivery issues for Caribbean youth. HIV/AIDS and Children in the English Speaking Caribbean breaks the silence on this subject that has existed throughout the Caribbean--second only to Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of the number of people infected with the disease--by focusing attention on the issues, needs, perspectives, policies, and research that impact those affected by the epidemic in that region. This unique book gives special attention to the distinctive differences among Caribbean countries with varying customs based on colonial influences including language, culture, traditions, and religion. User-friendly tables and figures make the statistical information easy to understand.HIV/AIDS and Children in the English Speaking Caribbean discusses a diversity of topics, including: psycho-cultural issues and adolescents the impact of dance hall music on HIV and adolescents school programs evaluation of residential placements for children with AIDS sexual risk-taking behaviors of Jamaican street boys the inaugural lecture on AIDS at the University of the West Indies . . . and much more. Everyone whose professional life brings them into contact with this population, including social workers, psychologists, counselors, clinicians, nurses and other health care professionals, as well as educators and their students will find HIV/AIDS and Children in the English Speaking Caribbean a very useful resource for understanding the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS virus on children and adolescents in that part of the world.

There are an estimated 42 million people worldwide living with HIV and AIDS. In the Caribbean, the statistics are alarming. After sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean has a higher HIV prevalence than any other area of the world. The need to control the spread of HIV is critical. Though medical advances have been successful in slowing the progress of the disease, there remains no cure for HIV and AIDS. In Challenging HIV and AIDS, the contributors, players at various levels in the education sector across the Caribbean, weigh in on the value of education as a means to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS. The contributions are unique to the Caribbean experience and culture and address the root causes of the spread of the epidemic. Reducing ignorance and the accompanying stigma and discrimination as well as addressing issues of sexuality through Health and Family Life Education in schools are identified as effective programmes in addressing the epidemic.

Given the context and prevalence of HIV/AIDS worldwide, this volume presents information, policy case studies, and empirical research for use by educators, policymakers, and organizations about the relationship between HIV/AIDS and education, including how HIV/AIDS has impacted education systems and the potential impact education has on HIV/AIDS.

The Caribbean Region is second only to Africa in the impact of HIV and AIDS. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has responded to this challenge by promoting a multisectoral response to the epidemic. UNESCO has provided regional leadership in strengthening the education sector component of this response. In 2005, UNESCO launched, with CARICOM and the World Bank, a regioinal dialogue involving representatives of Ministries of Education, national HIV and AIDS coordinating councils, development partners, and regional institutions providing leadership in the HIV response, which led to the development and endorsement of a regional Proposal for Action: Accelerating the Education Sector Response to HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean Region. In June 2006, Ministers of Education and representatives of National AIDS AUthorities met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, under the auspices of the CARICOM Council on Human and Social Development, and agreed to promote education sector leadership in addressing HIV and AIDS and to create a supportive policy and financial environment at national and regional levels. This report describes the development of these regional processes and how they have led to a stronger education sector response at the regional level. It also focuses on developments in three countries (Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia) as examples of how this regional effort translates into action at the national level.

This is an examination of the Caribbean AIDS epidemic.