THE RESULT OF HIV LITERACY PROGRAM TO PROMOTE BEHAVIOR OF LIVING TOGETHER WITHOUT ABHORRENCE AMONG VILLAGE HEALTH VOLUNTEERS

Abstract

          Program to provide education and information for understanding on how to live together regarding
HIV and AIDS in Thailand was conducted continuously but still need further improvement. This study aimed to develop HIV literacy program to promote behavior of living together without abhorrence among village health volunteers (VHV). The research was operation in nature with one group pre-test and post-test design. The sample was 40 VHVs from 16 villages of Wat Luang Sub-district, Phon Phisai District, Nong Khai Province, using 5 elements of health literacy conceptual framework including reaching, understanding, asking, deciding, and applying. There were 5 steps in the study which were 1) in-depth study about prevalence of stigmatization and abhorrence in the community, 2) prepare teamwork and network, 3) design the program and plan the activity, 4) train the team with 5 items of knowledge, and 5) assess and monitor the behavior of acceptance PLHIV living in the community. The instruments used in this study were knowledge-enhancement HIV literacy training program, assessment form to collect HIV literacy and knowledge pre- and postprogram among attending participants, satisfaction assessment form on participating the program, and, in-depth interview among participants and PLHIV to assess change in the community regarding stigma and discrimination practice. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.

          The findings revealed that before attending the training program, for the overall HIV literacy and knowledge, most VHVs (60%) reported to have insufficient level, while 27.5% at medium level, and 12.5% at sufficient level. After training, 35.5% of VHVs was at good level of HIV literacy and knowledge and 57.5% was at sufficient level. Before training, for the feeling of anxiety on doing activities with people with HIV in the community such as dining together or feeling do not want PLHIV to cook food for the community festive, 85% of VHVs felt anxious at least on one issue. After training, it was found that 87.5% of VHV was not anxious at all, and 12.5% felt a little anxious. PLHIVs’ view revealed that they observed changes in the community, which were, VHVs extended results from training program to people in the community, people spoke carefully to them, no sign of abhorrent attitude, they were allowed to join the ceremony, as well as to cook in the festive instead of asking them to only wash the dishes, and invited them to join the meal.

          The results of HIV literacy program development to promote behavior of living together with PLHIV
without abhorrence among VHVs indicate that after training VHVs who passed the program are confident to live with PLHIVs in the community, are able to extend results to others as well as to serve as good role
models in providing services to PLHIV in the community. The recommendations from the study include
continuous monitoring stigma and discrimination practices in the community to ensure sustainability. A
memorandum of agreement on the issue among VHVs should be established through community participation.