All about HIV/AIDS Innovative use of ICTs in fighting HIV/AIDS Romania

The project NGO executed by SECS Target group: y.o., urban and rural Co financed by: –UNDP –UK Embassy –USAID (parallel) Project team: –project manager –3 medical counselors Romania

Web-site content Content: information and counseling on: –HIV/AIDS –STIs –unwanted pregnancies Divided in 2 major areas: –Information section; –Counseling services; OUR APROACH: We believe the best model for lifelong sexual education is the provision of educational information in ALL aspects of positive sexuality, including birth control, safe sex and sexually transmitted diseases, anatomy, diverse sexual orientation and identification, sexual and romantic relationships and communication. Romania

Figures Launched on 21 st March 2001 Initial target: 10,000 visitors for the first year Visitors: ,500; ,500; ,800; Q&A – 6,480 in 36 months Chat sessions ~ 1,400 in 26 months Visitors by quarters Romania Visitors by age

SEXDEX Caravan Romania Open-session in high-school TV interview

Factors of success the popularity of the Medical Counselor the Caravan; Participation at national campaigns: –“Take Care not to Get Burn!” – summer campaign; –“Open your eyes, open your heart” – AIDS day campaign; the Internet-based approach and the continuous development of web-site; Romania

Current situation and planned developments Research based on the interactive experience with teenagers via the web-site since 2001; Multimedia CD-ROM to address informative gaps identified by research; To be implemented: a virtual community of peer-educators that will change their role from clients to online counselors of their colleagues; The layout of the CD-ROM CD-ROM photo session Video session – making off Romania

Regional replication of the project Assumptions (need research): –HIV/AIDS incidence/dynamics among the youth, sexually transmitted; –Internet penetration – key factor; –Target group – Internet-aware, has access to Internet Romania CO ready to share experience, expertise, good practices; Possible joint initiative of HIV/AIDS and ITCD practices at regional level; Funding required (on average) ~$40,000 /country/ year (more the better), plus ~$15,000 – 20,000/year for regional networking, experience exchange, joint events