Engaged couples to take HIV test?

A CONTROVERSIAL new plan to combat the growth of HIV/AIDS in the developing world will encourage young people approaching marriage to take an HIV test as part of their wedding preparations.

While most prospective bride and grooms concentrate on more traditional preparations for their big day, such as arranging the church, flowers and guest lists, the Living Positively campaign put together by Mothers' Union urges young people to add 'take an HIV test' to the list.

Throughout the world whole generations of families are becoming infected because young people are frightened of the response they might receive if they disclose their HIV status.
The Living Positively campaign aims to help local communities around the world tackle the sensitive issue of HIV/AIDS, while understanding and challenging the stigma and discrimination that still surrounds the disease.

At the heart of the campaign is an education and resource pack that will target an initial 30,000 people, and hopes to impact an estimated five million people in high-risk HIV/AIDS areas over the next 12 months. The campaign will encourage people to build up trusting relationships and introduce subjects such as stigma, health, caring for the infected and affected and the role the Church can play in supporting the community, some of which are rarely addressed, even by recognised AIDS charities.

Living Positively uses a variety of enablers to encourage discussion and engagement including role play, discussion, real life case studies and code pictures that indigenous groups will be able to relate to.

Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of the Mothers' Union, said: "Living Positively is the Mothers' Union's contribution to the fight against AIDS, which continues to sweep across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Our aim is that as a result of Living Positively, communities can start discussions around sensitive issues that will help them to grasp the seriousness of this pandemic."

For more information on the HIV/AIDS pack and other work of the Mothers' Union visit www.themothersunion.org or call Clare Berry on 0870 240 7078.

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