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Latvia currently ranks first in the number of new HIV cases diagnosed in the European Union – in addition, almost 10% of people infected with HIV are young people. This is not something that Latvia can be proud of and unfortunately it is unfortunate to conclude that much of the responsibility lies with the schools and the state education system.
The story of success is one where parents talk about HIV with young people, but the reality is different: more than half of young people have not talked to parents about baduality issues, but the HIV is even less common in parental interviews with children. In addition, a study done a few years ago confirms that parents' knowledge of HIV is not enough. So – even if parents talk with children, the question is – is the information provided correct. Therefore, the school itself is often the only place where young people can get information about this infection and know how to avoid it.
The level of infection in young people is undeniably high. Currently, there are 133 infected people in the age group of 13 to 25 years, or about one young person each year, and 26 people have already died during the independence years of Latvia, mainly in because of the aforementioned lack of knowledge. There is no more recent research on youth awareness, but a survey conducted in 2011 shows that knowledge about this virus in Latvia is very low. It has an important role to play in the education system and its shortcomings, but there is also another factor that clearly favors infections not only of young people but also of adults. Namely, high condom prices compared to the average income in the country. Young people have 5 euros of money and when they choose the already limited budget, the priority is often the other priorities.
To prevent new cases of infection, a highly developed prevention or prevention system is needed. An epidemic can only be avoided if everything is in order at all three levels – to inform the public about the treatment of infected people. The number of new infections today can even be eliminated because it has all the necessary prerequisites. Unfortunately, at all three levels of prevention, there are serious problems in Latvia. It is already evident at the first level – when it is about educating people in good health
If other diseases are possible at the beginning of the prophylaxis, for example vaccination, the HIV only affects the information, education and public information on the availability of protective equipment. provide. Unfortunately, this does not make Latvia particularly smooth, preventing the rapid decline in the number of new infections. Similarly, there is a lack of efficacy measures at levels 2 and 3 regarding the operative diagnosis of HIV and treatment options for already infected patients, thus significantly limiting the spread of the virus
. At the same time, the correlation between the priorities Therefore, the school is certainly one of the cornerstones to improve them. A good example is Finland, which has some of the best public health indicators, and focuses on health education in schools. In Latvia, the social science teacher was responsible for young people in the past for health and bad education. Schools talk about human anatomy and physiology, including badual health and HIV, but the amount of time allocated to these subjects is negligible. Similarly, it is not time to examine human badual health from psychological and social aspects, which are also very important for, in particular, immature individuals.
It is true that the education system is not the only one responsible for the awareness and lack of knowledge of young people. Much of the responsibility for youth education lies with the general public: doctors and other health professionals, young parents, the media and even infected people. It seems that the biggest problem in Latvia is that there is no second shot put to put the good facts on the basis of information, rejecting all the myths and stereotypes that the young people do on the Internet, friends and other sources not always reliable. Proof of the fact that young people have listened more and more over the years, one of the most successful solutions would be peer education. More importantly, education should be systematic and complex, not like a campaign, as long as the maximum that schools can afford are, for example, lectures "Fern Flower" for two clbades every two years. By receiving basic information within one hour, a young teacher gets to know more about HIV and bad life in addition to education for the sake of interest (for example, by l & # 39; 39, systematic peer education), each young person acquires the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes. these topics need to be addressed, and they should be able to educate others, including their children.
Unfortunately, bad education in Latvian schools is currently hampered by amendments to Section 10 of the Education Act. For this reason, such, in some cases provocative, information movements in schools are deliberately eradicated. In addition, teachers who have so far tried to educate children about issues affecting badual health do not want to risk their careers before the law. This means that instead of a health education based on scientific evidence, we choose denial and suffering silently, believing that the problem does not exist if it is not. not spoken.
Instead of continuing this information at the risk of their peers and their children, lawmakers and the general public should courageously call things in the right terms. Speak loudly about HIV, ways it can be infected, and ways to avoid it. Speak in educational institutions, health centers, media. Talk to everyone – big and small. Knowledge and understanding of these issues are a critical factor in eradicating the HIV epidemic, both worldwide and in our country.
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