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Street art for ARV awareness

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a very real problem on a global scale.

October 5, 2018

Sjani Campher 2 minutes read

A photo of one of the slogans painted to encourage treatment adherence.

It doesn’t discriminate, it doesn’t restrict itself to a specific race, religion, gender or class. It’s a debilitating disease, broadly attached to stigmatisation, is life-threatening and incurable.
The medical field is doing everything in its power to curb the spread of HIV. They have their hands full of its victims.

The worst part is, it can be brought to an end. HIV can be killed off in a gradual manner through means of prevention and with education.

It’s scary to think that despite its notorious reputation, most people do very little to protect themselves from it or to help those who have to live with it.
Most people look at the thousands of HIV campaigns and roll their eyes. The topic has been discussed to the point of boredom.

Members of Zenzele stand by one of the slogans.

One simply can’t help but raise their hat to the people who still diligently try to fight it.

The Centre for Communications Impact (CCI) was commissioned by FPD with funding from sponsors such as Pepfar and the CDC to launch the ART Adherence Communication Programme.

Lack of education appears to be the strongest life source for the dreaded virus. Efforts are made beyond expectation to infiltrate the more rural communities.

The Department of Health attended the campaign.

The biggest problem most clinics experience comes from patients not taking their antiretrovirals. Few people understand that poor treatment adherence leads to drug resistance, worsening of medical conditions, unnecessary health complications and increased morbidity and mortality.

Factors that contribute poor treatment adherence include the following: Inability to collect treatment or attend appointments due to location and access, the patients’ belief about the severity of their illness, denial or loss of hope for improvement, fear of side effects and discrimination from clinic staff or family members.

As part of the Zenzele communication programme, street art is used in strategic public places to promote HIV treatment and adherence and anti-stigma messages.

Last week Friday, Umjamaa Arts coincided with the Department of Health, Pepfar, FPD and CCI to paint HIV awareness slogans in areas like Ekurhuleni and Mhluzi.

The further they spread the message of how essential it is for HIV victims to adhere to treatment, the sooner the virus can be contained.
After all, it’s as they say, “It could happen to you”.