Community Seminar for HIV/AIDS Peer Leaders

Instructions for trainers:

Please treat this seminar like a focus group discussion. One of you should moderate
while the other of you takes notes. After the seminar the two of you should sit down and
together work on the notes of the seminar. The only difference is that instead of just
getting the views of the participants this time you participate and make corrections of
misconceptions and where necessary give brief min lectures to cover knowledge gaps.
Please note the careful numbering of the questions and make sure that the answers you
write are accurately labeled according to the question number.

Prayer: Someone should be asked to lead a short prayer

Self Introduction: Everyone introduces themselves starting with the teachers.

Opening remarks: To be given by highest dignitary present

Session A of the Seminar: 9.00 to 11.00 am

A1. The community is expected to give guidance to its own members and beyond.
Such direction and guidance needs to be given in caring love for the individual and in
recognition of the dignity which each human being has in the face of God.
Discussion questions:
A1.1 What good things can the community do to show caring love for people with
AIDS?
A1.2 What bad things can the community do which make people who have AIDS
lose their dignity?
A2. If one member suffers, all others suffer together with him or her; if one member is
honoured, all rejoice together with him or her.
Discussion questions:
A2.1 Give examples of suffering which a community can go through together
A2.2 Give an example of honour which one member gets but for which the entire
community rejoices together with them
A3. It is important to create a special atmosphere of love, attention, understanding and
respect around the sick and the suffering. Providing comprehensive physical, emotional
and spiritual care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families helps
limit the impact of the epidemic.
Discussion:
A3.1 Let different members explain the meaning of Love; the meaning of
Attention; the meaning of Understanding; and the meaning of Respect.
A3.2 Give examples of Physical Care; Examples of Emotional Care; Examples of
Spiritual Care.

A4. It is through caring about people that changes happen in behaviour in the community.
When people realize that they are cared about they find hope for the future of their

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families and communities. And they move towards their own change and in doing so they
prevent HIV/AIDS from spreading.
Discussion questions:
A4.1 If a man or woman realizes that the community is kind and caring to him or
her how will he or she behave?
A4.2 If a man or woman realizes that the community is not kind and caring to him
or her how will he or she behave?

A5. The community needs to understand the link between care and prevention and to
accept the practical and spiritual challenge of becoming a supportive community.
Discussion questions:
A5.1 Do you agree that by caring for those who are sick we can help prevent the
spread of disease?
A5.2 What are the challenges of caring for those who are sick?

A6. Good manners and sex should not be seen as opposing to each other, but as parts that
work together. Community leaders should have education on human sexuality and be
well informed about HIV/AIDS in order to help the community better.
Discussion questions:
A6.1 Why does every human being need sex?
A6.2 How can people have sex and yet keep good manners?

Session B of the Seminar: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm

Questions about this community

What do we want to know? The purpose of these questions is to understand your views
about the existing levels of knowledge, attitudes and behavior relating to HIV/AIDS in
this community.

B1 What proportion of people aged 15 years and above do you think have ever had
sex?
Is it 100% or 90% or what percentage?
Of those who have ever had sex, what percentage do you think have not had sex
in the past 3 months?
Of those who have ever had sex, what percentage do you think have not had sex
in the past 6 months?
Of those who have ever had sex, what percentage do you think have not had sex
in the past 12 months?

B2. Do you think people are avoiding sex? Why do you think some people are
avoiding sex?
Is it because they are afraid of pregnancy?
Is it because they are afraid of getting HIV/STD?

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Or do you think they are not avoiding sex, it is just that they have not had the opportunity
for sex?

B3. Do you think people are faithful in their marriages?

What percentage of married men do you think are faithful?
What percentage of married women do you think are faithful?
What makes people not stick to their spouses?

B4. How many people are using condoms?

Out of 100 men how many do you think used condoms the last time they had sex?
Out of 100 women how many do you think used condoms the last time they had sex?
Where do you think the men get condoms from?
Where do you think the women get condoms from?
What kind of partners do they use them with?
How do they throw them away after use?
Are there reasons why people are not using condoms?
In your view when and with whom should people use condoms?

Session C of the Seminar: 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Questions for Discussion
C1. What form of care and prevention work is available in your community?
C2. Who is involved?
C3. What kinds of needs and resources are there in your community for this kind of
work?
C4. What lessons have been learned?
C5. Is everyone in need of care receiving an equal share of it? (quality and equality of
care).
C6. Who is providing care?
C7. What can you do to help prevention and care in your community?
C8. What skills are available in this group today and how can they be matched with the
needs?
C9. Discuss many activities which the group can undertake (for example, care and
support for persons with HIV/AIDS, support group for care givers, counseling and so on.)

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