UNMIS HIV/AIDS TRAINING

UNMIS conducts a number of training and awareness activities on the issue of HIV/AIDS:

• Pre-deployment training: Pre-deployment training is organized and conducted by TES and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and the HIV/AIDS Unit supports the training on request. The unit's participation in pre-deployment training is vital since it creates an enabling environment for the commencement and continuation of campaigns during in-mission training.
• Induction training: Induction training is conducted for all incoming contingents, UN Military Observers, UN Police, Military Staff Officers, International and National civilian staff including UN Volunteers (UNVs). The training covers basic facts about HIV/AIDS as well as sexually transmitted diseases; UN policy on HIV/AIDS, sexual exploitation, safe sex, etc.
• Training of Peer Educators (TOPE) workshop in HIV/AIDS Peer Leadership: TOPE courses form the backbone of UNMIS' approach and comes close to culminating in one-to-one coaching. The course runs for ten days and is open to all staff, as well as staff from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and members of the uniformed services of the Government of Sudan and the community at large. It aims to provide trainees with knowledge about HIV/AIDS for practical behaviour change methods. Peer educators transmit accurate, balanced and factual information using participatory methods that engage and challenge people to confront, reflect on and develop their own responses to HIV/AIDS.

The topics covered in UNMIS Training of Trainers Courses include:

• Peer leadership and facilitation skills
• Communication skills/Interpersonal skills
• Principles of adult learning
• HIV and Gender, Gender and Peacekeeping Operations
• Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)
• Basic facts about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)
• Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT)
• HIV/AIDS management
• Universal blood precautions
• Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Kits
• Understanding risk behaviour and Behaviour Change Communication
• HIV and the Youth
• Basic science of HIV/AIDS, subtypes and terminologies
• HIV Stages
• HIV in children and Child Protection
• HIV Prevention Mother to Child Transmission
• Understanding condom use and its promotion
• Risk factors that make peacekeepers vulnerable to HIV/AIDS/STIs
• HIV/AIDS global pictures
• Film shows in support of presentations
• Methods of Instructions/teaching
• Negotiating for safer sex
• Behaviour Change Communication
• Peer Leadership participatory Exercises
• Sensitization exercises
• Alcohol/drug use and HIV exercises
• Introduction and practices of STI exercises
• Picture codes
• Stigma and Discrimination
• Caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
• UN HIV/AIDS Policy
• Religion and Culture as strong tools in fighting against HIV/AIDS spread.

In addition, supportive HIV/AIDS awareness sessions will be conducted on a weekly basis in the wake of other initial training programmes. These sessions aim to foster general awareness and boost reinforced behaviour change following the earlier training programmes.

By the end of induction and awareness sessions, participants should be able to:

• Describe the nature of the epidemic, the key facts and their implications
• Demonstrate an understanding of factors that make peacekeepers/personnel vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS
• Portray familiarity with basic facts about HIV/AIDS and STIs
• Explain HIV transmission chain (Butterfly chain)
• Promote Safer Sex with clear understanding of correct and consistent use of both male and female condoms being aware that; "abstinence" from sex is key to avoiding contracting HIV/STIs
• Explain the importance of Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing
• Portray an understanding on UN Policy on HIV/AIDS
• Show an understanding on what it may be like to be exposed to or infected with HIV
• Identify means of protection against sexual HIV/STI transmission, as well as the difficulties and constraints to make use of them
• Measure the impact of infection on people's lives
• Describe how one can learn to live positively with the knowledge that one is infected
• Discuss means of creating a supportive environment in the workplace

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