STUDENT-LED HIV/AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS: A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15952925150813

• Palavras-chave: HIV, AIDS, awareness, public health, curriculum, education.

• Keywords: HIV, AIDS, awareness, public health, curriculum, education.

• Abstract:

  The proposal for a global effort to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, proposed by the United Nations (UN), has motivated several initiatives today. Thus, with a view to achieving this goal, student-led public health campaigns were carried out by medical students at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC Campinas) in 2015, 2018, and 2023. This study evaluates the impact of the campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness and its effectiveness as a model for similar initiatives at other institutions.
  Methods: The campaigns were organized by medical students from PUC Campinas, members of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA). These were developed iteratively over the years, with data collection and evaluations that guided subsequent changes to the program. Students received specialized training on HIV/AIDS before distributing educational materials. On the last day of the campaign, students talked to the population in public places such as parks, bus stations, and shopping malls. Participants received information on HIV/AIDS prevention, disease, and treatment, and their knowledge was assessed through questionnaires administered before and after the campaigns.
  Results: Among the 3,150 individuals approached during the campaigns, 78% had limited knowledge about HIV testing and AIDS symptoms. After the campaign, 88% of participants considered their knowledge about rapid testing and AIDS symptoms to be satisfactory. These results demonstrate the positive impact of the campaign in improving participants' awareness and understanding. The campaigns inspired local leadership, innovation, and a search for knowledge among students.
  Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of student-led public health campaigns on knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS. The campaigns effectively addressed information gaps, resulting in greater knowledge about topics such as rapid testing and AIDS symptoms. These findings reinforce the importance of educational initiatives in health training and provide support for the future development of curricula that promote public health awareness and education.