2023-12-01 11:26:06
World AIDS Day 2023 Aimed at Raising Awareness and Prevention
Dr. Thongchai Keerati Hatthayakorn, Acting Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, announced today that the World Health Organization has designated December 1 of every year as World AIDS Day. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of AIDS prevention and to promote acceptance and understanding of people living with HIV around the world. This year’s theme is “Let Communities Lead,” with a focus on encouraging participation from all sectors to support communities, organizations, and groups, particularly youth, in raising awareness and driving efforts to end the AIDS problem.
The Department of Disease Control has identified youth as one of the most important target groups for HIV prevention. In Thailand, it is projected that there will be 9,230 new HIV infections in 2022, with 4,379 of those infections occurring in the 15-24 age group, accounting for approximately 50 percent of all new cases. Unsafe sex is the primary cause of transmission, with the 15-24 age group exhibiting a condom usage rate of only 80 percent during their last sexual encounter, and less than 40 percent reporting regular condom use with their partners.
Dr. Thongchai emphasized the importance of supporting all target groups to receive comprehensive prevention, testing, and care services. The Department of Disease Control, in collaboration with network partners, is working to promote the normalization of condom usage with the slogan “Keep condoms handy, use them every time, with everyone, every channel.” Free condoms are available at government health services and civil society organizations across Thailand, and free HIV testing is available twice a year at every hospital under National Health Insurance. Additionally, free HIV self-test kits can be obtained at health service units, pharmacies, and through the Paotang application in the Health Bag menu.
For World AIDS Day 2023, the Department of Disease Control has partnered with the Youth Institute of Thailand and the Children and Youth Council of Thailand to drive the campaign forward. The collaboration aims to raise awareness, promote the normalization of condom usage and HIV testing, and unify support for the World AIDS Day campaign through social media engagement, with campaign activities and information available on the Facebook fan page for the Division of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
For more information about World AIDS Day activities and initiatives, individuals can contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.
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Information from: Division of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Risk Communication Office, Department of Disease Control
November 30, 2023]
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