Chapter 1: General Information on HIV/AIDS and TB Welcome to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Pacific Open Learning Health Net
(POLHN) interactive learning module on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and tuberculosis (TB). This module is designed for you,
as a health worker, to better understand the diseases and to provide health education for
different audiences. It uses simple, non-technical language that you can easily adapt for
your presentations to schools, community groups, and others.
There is a deep tradition of strong communities and inclusion in the Pacific.
However, sometimes diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB challenge these traditions and the
Pacific way.
Culture and tradition often create barriers to discussing sexual activity or drug use and hinder awareness
about diseases. When the community does not understand how diseases are spread, infected people and their
caregivers can be stigmatized. A lack of information and increasing discrimination can actually contribute
to the spread of these diseases. There are many challenges to addressing HIV/AIDS.
Health educators can act as “translators” or bridges to promote awareness, knowledge, and
tolerance. You understand cultural and community standards as well as the science of diseases and
the importance of prevention. Using this understanding, you can create educational messages that are
both scientifically accurate and culturally acceptable.
This learning module on HIV/AIDS and TB is organized into chapters, like an electronic book.
This chapter provides an introduction to HIV/AIDS and TB. The following chapters provide information
about preventing the diseases (Chapter 2), a discussion of complications and treatment options (Chapter 3),
useful resources for different audiences (Chapter 4), and a sample presentation and tips for giving your
own presentations (Chapter 5).
You can either read through from start to finish or move around to the sections you need.
The top navigation bar lists the five chapters in the module; when you select a chapter,
the lower navigation bar lists the sections within the chapter. Sections on HIV/AIDS come
before those on TB within each chapter; the arrow indicates where you are. To switch between them,
click on the linked words (HIV/AIDS or TB). Use the bar in the middle of the page to scroll down as you read.
To print the chapter, click on the computer icon below the scroll bar.
Each chapter sets learning goals and provides links to guide you to related resources and
further information. Just click on the colored and underlined text to follow these links.
Most chapters conclude with a ‘Learn More’ section with links, a glossary of terms, and a list of
resources with their website addresses.
We hope this learning module proves useful to you, and we thank you for your dedication to
improving the health of communities in the Pacific. If you would like more copies of the module,
or if you have suggestions, questions, or comments about it, please contact Dr. Richard Wah, WHO
South Pacific Office, P.O. Box 113, Suva, Fiji (email: WahR@sp.wpro.who.int).
Learning Goals for Chapter 1 After reading this chapter, you will have a general understanding of:
- Health education challenges of HIV/AIDS and TB and the role of the health educator in creating accurate messages that are culturally appropriate
- What HIV/AIDS is and why it is such an important issue in the Pacific
- The symptoms and risk factors of HIV/AIDS
- What TB is and why it is such an important issue in the Pacific
- The symptoms and risk factors of TB
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