International version N° 12
Dear Reader, This twelfth international edition of Crosswords magazine focuses on the Red Cross’ humanitarian activities throughout the world with a special focus on the “Aidsberodung”, the service supporting people living with HIV/AIDS. We hope that you will enjoy reading our news! International Section Contact details for the International Section and further information : T: 661 56 74 52 - section.internationale@croix-rouge.lu
The “Aidsberodung” Service of the Red Cross Providing assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS
Distribution of medicine by a nurse
There are currently more than 1,000 people in Luxembourg living with HIV, of whom 25% to 33% are unaware of their illness. In Luxembourg, as in most rich countries, antiretroviral therapies have fundamentally changed the face of AIDS. HIV infection is by no means curable, but it is considered “treatable,” even though it remains a serious, chronic, and contagious disease. For some, the infection almost never interferes with their daily life; for many, it remains a heavy burden to bear, both emotionally and physically. Support in overcoming the limits associated with HIV is far from being a luxury. The stigma linked to AIDS further weakens those in an already precarious situation. Aidsberodung’s mission is to provide emotional, psychological, social, and practical support and counselling to people in all stages of HIV/AIDS and their family and friends. This support enables people to lead an active life, facilitating access to care, social rights, and housing, while respecting their wishes and personality.
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The service’s second mission is to fight the spread of the virus by launching campaigns around information and prevention, such as distributing condoms, providing brochures, presenting information briefings and awareness campaigns to schools, youth centres, health professionals, etc.
Client helping to prepare a communal meal
In addition to the counselling, supported housing and prevention activities, this service is developing screening programmes for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and viral hepatitis. It aims to encourage those people engaging in high-risk behaviours to get screened and, in conjunction, provide them with prevention sessions to raise their awareness of the dangers of transmission. Over the years, voluntary screening (as a gateway to a more global implementation) has become one of the main priorities of Aidsberodung. For more information : www.croix-rouge.lu/aidsberodung
Living with HIV Testimony of Stephanie, HIV-positive Stephanie, who is HIV-positive, is looking for a job and is supported in her endeavour by the Regional Social Action Service (“Service régional d’action sociale (RMG)”). Having learned that a position was available in her Commune’s school cafeteria, Stephanie informed her social worker that The social worker refused her request, not wishing to be held responsible for her HIV, by arguing: “if there was a problem, if the parents realised she was sick …“ Stephanie insisted, pointing out that she knew how the virus was transmitted. The social worker said she did not have the necessary information on the disease to take responsibility. She said that Stephanie could never apply for a job in the food industry given the risk of infection. Stephanie is still unemployed. MARCH 2012
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Round About Aids Dynamic and interactive prevention for youth by youth Round About Aids has existed in Luxembourg since 1997. This prevention program was created by the Aidsberodung in collaboration with the Central Technical School and the youth center in Rédange. It is similar to the Mitmach-Course project conducted by "Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Enlightenment" in Germany. The Round About Aids prevention project is a dynamic, interactive project presented as a journey with different themes, such as love, sexuality, and AIDS, and factilitated by older students for younger students at their school. Since its inception, nearly 21,600 students have participated and about 920 young people have attended training weekends hosted by the Aidsberodung to become journey leaders. The purpose of Round About Aids is to initiate debates through appealing, cool games where young participants are exposed to various aspects of HIV and AIDS, mainly by using their personal knowledge. For more information : www.croix-rouge.lu/prevention-et-information
Testimony of Joanne Reichling, Stop Aids Now volunteer "I have two friends with HIV, yet before becoming a volunteer, I knew less about the disease, at least no more than what we were taught at school. During my participation in the film House of Boys by Jean-Claude Schlim, I realized through speaking with the actors and technicians that misconceptions around HIV/AIDS still exist. I expected to find answers to my questions by contacting Stop Aids Now. I’ve learned a lot and discovered a great team of volunteers and friends. This team gave me the desire to support people affected by HIV/AIDS and contribute to the fight against AIDS by participating in as many prevention events as possible. The social stigma against HIV/AIDS is still highly virulent in our country and the actions of Stop Aids Now help change attitudes.
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Prevention is the only way to reduce the number of new infections; the work of Stop Aids Now is essential."
Stop Aids Now - ACCESS Inform, educate, prevent The association Stop Aids Now was founded in 1991 to strengthen the preventive actions of the Red Cross‘ Aidsberodung Service and to maintain the relevance of HIV/AIDS work. The organisation is composed exclusively of volunteers and is mainly engaged in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Specifically, it distributes condoms, organizes information booths, and leads awareness activities, largely through the distribution or sale of objects that carry prevention messages. Stop Aids Now also organizes a national event to mark World AIDS Day, which takes place every year on December 1st. All of its activities are intended to fight against the neglect and trivialization of HIV/AIDS. The main goals of the association are to inform, educate, and prevent. In 2009, Stop Aids Now merged with the ACCESS Asbl and in March 2010, the association Stop Aids Now Access obtained the status of Non-Governmental Organization approved by the Ministry of Cooperation. Join us on www.facebook.com / SAN Acces
Project DIMPS Inform persons with increased risk of infections DIMPS (Mobile Intervention Facility for the Promotion of Sexual Health) has been touring the streets of Luxembourg for around three years. The DIMPS team consists of nurses and psychologists and uses a refurbished ambulance to reach its clients. Its purpose is to go out once a week to reach people who do not normally have access to information about sexually transmitted diseases and offer testing to those who standard testing practices do not reach.
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International version N° 12
These persons belong to the so-called “high-risk“ groups who, for various reasons, have an increased risk of infection compared to the rest of the population. In particular, DIMPS looks after drug addicts, sex workers, homo- and bisexual men, asylum seekers, and the homeless. DIMPS was established in early 2009 as a result of the cooperation between the Aidsberodung, the Luxembourg Red Cross, the Centre Hospitalier of Luxembourg, and the Ministry of Health. The overall aim of the project is to provide access to simple prevention and testing services that will be accepted and used by high-risk groups. DIMPS seeks and visits its "clients" in the places they often frequent (e.g. drug dens, red-light districts, gay saunas, residences, etc.) in order to provide testing and information. In a 30-minute consultation, psychologists and nurses try to address the clients‘ sexual behavior and drug consumption issues and explain alternatives for safer sex and low-risk drug consumption. In addition, they provide information about infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, etc.) and how they are transmitted. This all takes place in an atmosphere highly respectful of the client and his or her way of life. Following this informative meeting, clients have the opportunity to get tested. They can either undergo a quick test for HIV and hepatitis C, which show results in 20 minutes, or choose a laboratory test. Laboratory tests allow the patient to get tested for a variety of different pathogens: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The results, however, can take up to one week. Since 2009, the DIMPS project has been well accepted by its target group. Consequently, there has been considerable interest as well as many requests for services. Through the end of 2011, many people 293 in total - have profited from DIMPS project services through 358 meetings.
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Nevertheless, the current situation shows that the presence of DIMPS at different locations (e.g. meeting point Kockelscheuer for gay men, red-light district, etc.) is not enough to build up mutual trust and confidence with users and reach new potential clients. It is necessary to increase the number of staff working for the DIMPS project in order to meet existing demand.
For more information : www.dimps.lu
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