Reducing HIV/AIDS Stigma in Ukraine

Starting in September 2004, IRD implemented the Reducing Stigma and Discrimination Associated with HIV Infection and AIDS (RSAD) Program in Ukraine, funded by the United States Agency for International Development over a four-year period. By 2008, IRD raised public awareness and motivated supportive attitudes with the goal of at least 80 percent of the population in two administrative regions, Crimea and Donetsk, expressing supportive and accepting attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS.

Starting in September 2004, IRD implemented the Reducing Stigma and Discrimination Associated with HIV Infection and AIDS (RSAD) Program in Ukraine, funded by the United States Agency for International Development over a four-year period. By 2008, IRD raised public awareness and motivated supportive attitudes with the goal of at least 80 percent of the population in two administrative regions, Crimea and Donetsk, expressing supportive and accepting attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS.

Through the program:
- More than 60 master trainers were trained;
- Almost 15,000 trainer instructors were trained;
- More than 135,000 peer educators were trained;
- 92 journalists and 25 lawyers were trained; with
- More than 150,000 people were reached through training.

Developed and Disseminated:
- 48,500 leaflets on HIV/AIDS;
- 15,200 posters;
- 121,000 booklets;
- 5,000 badges for AIDS Memorial Day and Youth Day;
- 1,000 pens with USAID/IRD logo and slogans; and
- Three billboards and 146 city lights were designed and displayed in Donetsk and Simferopol;
- 3 pillars;
- 400 photos for photo exhibition;
- 100 photo albums with drawings of the winners of the drawing contest;
- 600 T-shirts “Understand! Assist! Support!”;
- 6,000 calendars;
- 100 HIV/AIDS manuals for master trainers;
- 150 HIV/AIDS manuals for trainers;
- 600 HIV/AIDS brochures for trainers;
- 7,500 HIV/AIDS manuals for instructors;
- 3,000 manuals for peer to peer educators;
- 3,000 methodological manuals for teachers;
- 500 IRD folders;
- 200 CDs with drawings of the winners of the drawing contest;
- 300 CDs with video PSAs within the framework of the project.

Media Interventions:
- Five video clips produced;
- 238 newspaper articles published;
- 270 TV and 115 radio programs aired;
- Almost 20,000 video PSAs airings and more than 800 audio PSAs airings; and
- 388 public events organized.

Education of People Living with HIV/AIDS Regarding Their Legal Rights:
- Legal counseling for people living with HIV/AIDS on their rights and protection (25 lawyers trained, 87 legal consultations);  

Commodities:
- One 40-foot container with hygiene kits delivered for people living with HIV/AIDS in Crimea.
- Two 40-foot container with quilts for people living with HIV/AIDS to Crimea and Donetsk.
- Two 40-foot container to Crimea and Donetsk with NIKE’s sport apparel and equipment to promote ideas of tolerant attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.
- More than 2 milllion condoms received and distributed among the population.

The RSAD program is considered one of the most successful outreach efforts in Ukraine. In 2007, Mr. Douglas Menarchik, Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Bureau, USAID, and Mr. Earl Gast, USAID Mission Director in Ukraine, visited program activities and gave them a high evaluation. In the summer of 2008, IRD conducted the final survey and complete program close.