Name of Lead Author: Jean-Paul Ngueya
Organization: Afrique Avenir
Country: France

Abstract

Today in the imagination of many people, they no longer die of HIV/AIDS. The objective of the communication with users during this period is to promote the changes conducive to health behavior by raising questions, having reflections, and exchanges on the theme of HIV/aids. This is to make them aware of the risks involved in these times of strong emotions. It is also to change the representation of negative behavior related to HIV transmission and the failure to use condoms during casual sexual intercourse.(Examples “whatever happens, effective treatment exists”; “the condom decreases pleasure”; “once without a condom will not hurt”; “condoms are used by people who do not trust other people”: “it is used by sexual vagabonds”; “you do not die of Aids it is just a chronic disease”; “you only live once, life is short”; “condoms are not effective”; “I am allergic to latex”). 

Submission

The fight against Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS is everyone’s and requires permanent solidarity on a global scale. This solidarity is not limited to researchers and donors but also mass media, policies, educators, parents, children, patrons, institutions, and other organizations not named here. “The treatment is important, but we urgently need innovations to prevent the spread of HIV” Bill Gates highlighted in his annual letter on HIV/AIDS.Sub Saharan Africa is the hardest hit region with 67% of the people in the world living with HIV. The project I am sharing is a concrete example of this innovation and what can be done in the world on the occasion of popular events like “FESMIK” ( Kribi International Music Festival ) it will take place 08 to 14 February 2016 in Kribi , the principle city in Cameroon, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As an activist very engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS for more than two decades,I play a role in the extension of this fight in France, which I first conducted in Africa in my home country. I am available to share my journey with you, in this struggle that humanity is still paying a heavy price for. Effective treatments that improve the quality of life for those infected are not available for all yet. This should not be a reason to lower our guard in terms of prevention. We need to find new strategies to enhance detection, prevention, and to fight against forms of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

Today in the imagination of many people, they no longer die of HIV/AIDS. The objective of the communication with users during this period is to promote the changes conducive to health behavior by raising questions, having reflections, and exchanges on the theme of HIV/aids. This is to make them aware of the risks involved in these times of strong emotions. It is also to change the representation of negative behavior related to HIV transmission and the failure to use condoms during casual sexual intercourse.(Examples “whatever happens, effective treatment exists”; “the condom decreases pleasure”; “once without a condom will not hurt”; “condoms are used by people who do not trust other people”: “it is used by sexual vagabonds”; “you do not die of Aids it is just a chronic disease”; “you only live once, life is short”; “condoms are not effective”; “I am allergic to latex”)

From 08 to 13 February, 2016, the young volunteers of Cameroon and the world will meet on the festival site and other party locations (bar dancing, clubs) visited as part of an awareness campaign for the prevention of Aids. The participation in this exciting and human adventure is voluntary and open to all young people of Cameroon and the world. Registration and motivation of the candidates is mandatory and must be sent to the email address ngueya@yahoo.fr before 30 December 2015. The selected volunteers will be informed by email or phone and need to take part in a mandatory training scheduled for 05 and 06 February 2016, from 8:30-17:30. This training will be both theoretical and practical to help the young people have information specific to the prevention of STI/AIDS/HIV tests, and the fight against forms of stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/aids, to acquire notions about the different attitudes to adopt during the exchanges which should in principle have a maximum limit of 10 minutes. Stimulation exercises will be scheduled at the end of it.

The strategy is for these young people to be involved throughout the festival site and other recreational settings, invite themselves to tables or groups of people and try to steer the conversation to get the messages across. Volunteers will be distinguished by T-shirts badges and bags containing materials for prevention (condoms, pamphlets... ). Posters on incentives for HIV testing, hepatitis, prevention, and fight against the discrimination of people living with HIV/Aids will be placed strategically throughout the country. If the opportunity is available, a recreational evening followed by a raffle dedicated to volunteers involved in the project will take place at a nightclub in the city February 14, 2016 from 22 until dawn. TO BE IN SOLIDARITY in all the options is to save lives supporting this project. The contribution of all is essential and indispensable.

Bibliography and References

Mr. Jean Paul Ngueya was born in Cameroon and now lives in France. He is bi-lingual in French and English. Mr. Ngueya is a life-long advocate, educator, and counselor in the area of HIV/AIDS, especially for young people under 25 years old. He also specialized in issues surrounding displaced persons, orphaned and immigrant communities.

In various capacities he has promoted access to affordable and relevant services that reduce HIV/AIDS. He has promoted safer sexual activities and has provided psychosocial care for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), including HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Ngueya since 2007 has worked at Afrique Avenir, that advocates for populations of Africa, Antilles and Caribbean. In this capacity he goes to nightclubs were the young people are to educate and advocate for the prevention of STI, including HIV. At the nightclubs he offers to both patrons and staff preventative advice, distributing material (condoms, brochures, flyers, leaflets. While in the nightclub he responds to questions, constructs contact networks (connections, figures of authority)

Mr. Ngueya has also worked with Medecins D’Afrique /Europe (Doctors of Africa/ Europe). During that time he organized nutrition workshops for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) ; provided Psychosocial support and introduced a warm ambiance at meal times with music, stories and entertainment. Mr. Ngueya was responsible for the pre-test and post-test activities for the Nonoxynol-9 Research Study Project with Family Health International. Mr. Ngueya was also in charge of
counseling (psychological care for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS) at the day hospital in Douala, Cameroon. Mr. Ngueya has many year of experience volunteering for various causes and organizations that includes Enfance Espoir, Secours populaire Français, and. Ensemble contre le sida.

Mr. Ngueyas professional presentation for international Conferences have included
2009 San Francisco (USA) : Promoting sexual and reproductive health by regulating behavioral attitudes and spreading information; 2008 Dakar (Senegal) : The impact of nutrition workshops on hospitalized migrant patients infected with HIV; 2003 (Punta del Este): The impact of social perceptions in the prevention of HIV and STI’s ; 2002 Antwerp (Belgium) : Advisory role in a study of preventative research on HIV/AIDS; 2000 Durban ( South Africa ): The social representation of AIDS; and 2001 Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) The positive regulation.

Mr. Ngueya formal education includes a university Diploma in the “Sexual Health and Human Rights, training in Counseling, Guidelines for HIV/AIDS
messages, and training in writing film scripts. His hobbies and interests include football, documentary films, and travelling.

References
Mark Brennan-Ing, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Center on HIV and Aging Alain Giami
AIDS Community Research Initiative Directeur de Recherche/ Professeur
Of America INSERM-CESP –U1018
230 West 38th Street 17th Floor 82, rue du Général Leclerc
New York, N.Y. 10018 F-94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre Cedex
Tel: +1 (212) 924-3934 ext 131 Tel: +(33) 1 45 21 22 89
mbrennan@acria.org alain.giami@inserm.