- Title: Ukraine marks AIDS day with safe sex classes and free HIV tests
- Date: 1st December 2016
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (DECEMBER 1, 2016) (REUTERS) AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION UKRAINE TRAINER, VALENTYN BOBRUYKO, SPEAKING TO STUDENTS WHILE HOLDING CONDOM WRAPPER STUDENTS LISTENING BOBRUYKO DEMONSTRATING STRENGTH OF CONDOM, STRETCHING IT OVER HIS HAND STUDENT HOLDING CONDOM WAPPER STUDENT PRACTISING APPLICATION OF CONDOM, AS BOBRUYKO GUIDES CONDOM WRAPPERS ON TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION UKRAINE TRAINER, VALENTYN BOBRUYKO, SAYING: "In fact, the more information exists, the more tolerance towards some situations develops. And again, if, for example, ten years ago showing a condom in a shot was taboo and probably censorship would not allow it to appear on screen, today we understand that it's as ordinary as, let's say, a pack of chewing gum in the pocket." BOBRUYKO TALKING TO STUDENTS CLOSE OF STUDENT LISTENING STUDENTS LISTENING SITTING AT TABLE WITH CONDOM WRAPPERS, INFORMATION LEAFLETS AND ARTIFICIAL PENISES BOBRUYKO TALKING TO STUDENTS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) STUDENT, TETYANA KUZNETSOVA, SAYING: "It was very practical. Of course, in the beginning we were a bit embarrassed, but after a few moments that was gone and we even took the instruments into our own hands and placed condoms on them and we learned. Of course the lecture is very useful and the information that we gained will of course come to use in life. Everyone needs to know it. For instance, today was the first time in my life that I put a condom on, I simply have never done it myself." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) STUDENT, ANNA RYMAR, SAYING: "There is no sex education in Ukraine. And being 19 years old, I obtained a lot of information which I didn't know before. It seems to me it's important to know all stages of sex education which were discussed today, because it may really save someone's life. I believe that such courses must be organised more frequently and involve as many people as possible - preferably younger people." KIEV, UKRAINE (NOVEMBER 26, 2016) (REUTERS) PEOPLE LINING UP OUTSIDE BOOTHS FOR FREE HIV-TESTS SIGN READING (Ukrainian): "DO NOT GIVE AIDS A CHANCE" VARIOUS OF HEALTH WORKER PERFORMING EXPRESS BLOOD TEST HEALTH WORKER TESTING BLOOD SAMPLE PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE AS MAN TALKS TO OUTREACH WORKERS IN BOOTH MAN TALKING TO OUTREACH WORKERS IN BOOTH (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HIV-POSITIVE ACTIVIST, DANIL STOLBUNOV, SAYING: "Unfortunately, in our country the rights of young people are very often violated during testing - those who are older than 14 are not tested, tests are not free and not confidential. But fortunately, everything went well here, I really recommend it. The consultation is good. This was my mission - I wanted to check how accessible the testing would be for young people here, because this event was advertised a lot." VARIOUS OF HEALTH WORKER PERFORMING BLOOD TEST (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) STUDENT, VALERIYA ANTONOVA, SAYING: "It is a little scary every time (to get tested). Despite knowing that I do not face many risks, I realise how serious it is. I often look through the statistics in Ukraine and these figures are truly frightening." PEOPLE LINING UP TO GET TESTED
- Embargoed: 16th December 2016 18:36
- Keywords: HIV AIDS Ukraine Kiev ANTIAIDS Foundation test prevetion treatment
- Location: KIEV, UKRAINE
- City: KIEV, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Reuters ID: LVA0015B1XYYH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH MAY BE DEEMED SENSITIVE
As the world marks AIDS Day on Thursday (December 1), Ukraine's ANTIAIDS Foundation set up a one-day awareness centre to educate young people about safe sex.
The course aimed to help young Ukrainians shed their inhibitions in use of condoms to prevent transmission of the disease. Students from Kiev were taught key information on the importance of safe sex and the use of condoms, as well as the practical application of it.
Valentyn Bobruyko, a trainer from AIDS Healthcare Foundation Ukraine, said young people needed to have better access to sex education to promote safe sex and HIV prevention.
"The more information exists, the more tolerance towards some situations develops," said Bobruyko.
"Ten years ago showing a condom in a shot was taboo and probably censorship would not allow it to appear on screen, today we understand that it's as ordinary as, let's say, a pack of chewing gum in the pocket."
In the lead up to world AIDS Day, UNAIDS Ukraine in cooperation with 'Ashan' supermarket chain opened booths that offered free HIV-testing at their stores across the country.
A line of people could be seen standing outside one booth in Kiev on Saturday (November 26) waiting to undergo a speedy HIV test.
Activist Danil Stolbunov says he contracted the virus through donated blood. He has now dedicated his life to human rights advocacy and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Together with a group of volunteers, Stolbunov inspects state hospitals to scrutinise whether they provide adequate assistance and treatment to young people who want to undergo a HIV test.
According to Ukrainian legislation young people over the age of 14 should be able to receive a test without parental consent. But Stolbunov says this is constantly violated and some health centres don't heed the law.
"Unfortunately, in our country the rights of young people are very often violated during testing - those who are older than 14 are not tested, tests are not free and not confidential," he told Reuters Television.
Stolbunov gave a positive assessment of the UNAIDS Ukraine drive to raise awareness after posing as a 16-year old seeking his first test.
"Everything went well here, I really recommend it. The consultation is good. This was my mission - I wanted to check how accessible the testing would be for young people here, because this event was advertised a lot," he said.
According to the latest data from Ukraine's Health Ministry, 220,000 Ukrainians live with HIV, while only 132,000 cases are registered - this means around 40 percent of HIV-positive Ukrainians do not know their status.
The ministry data states 73 percent of HIV-positive patients contracted the virus through unsafe sex. Around 17,000 people (one percent) out of 1,694,326 who got tested in 2016 turned out to be HIV-positive. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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