World AIDS Day: Students and Scientists Join Forces in Awareness-raising
Since 1988, 1st December has been World AIDS Day. It was declared in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to spread awareness about the deadly disease AIDS, to encourage the fight against the disease and HIV, and last but not least to commemorate its victims.
Traditionally, various awareness-raising events dedicated to the prevention of the disease are held on the first of December every year, with the main aim of raising awareness of the mode of transmission, the importance of early diagnosis, and treatment options. Knowledge is an important prerequisite for successfully combating the disease. On the premises of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, from Thursday 1st December to Wednesday 7th December, there is a stand in front of the auditorium in the entrance hall with volunteers, students of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, who willingly provide information on the disease, prevention, treatment, and testing options. They invite all passers-by to the booth for a short chat. Visitors can fill in a questionnaire and receive a small reward. It is also possible to buy a symbolic red ribbon and support the public collection.
Bachelor's student Dominika Lončarovičičová, who is at the stand during the first day of the campaign says: "It is clear to me that shyness can prevent adults from talking about this disease at all. I am involved in several IFMSA projects, but what I enjoy about this event is that many people underestimate the knowledge and possible discussion about HIV or AIDS. When we have events like this in the city and try to ask questions, many people pretend that it doesn't concern them at all. And it can be just the opposite. Awareness of how you can get infected and how to protect yourself I think is crucial. I enjoy talking to the students here at the booth. They answer most of the questions on the questionnaire correctly, which makes me happy."
The campaign also includes the opportunity to take a ride in the City of Brno's Shuttle Against AIDS. Today it will leave at 3 PM from Pisárky and until 6 PM it will run through Brno in places where there is no traffic at the moment. People can come and get a free ride and talk about the whole issue and get much-needed information.
Calling all university students: get involved in the study!
This year, researchers from the Department of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine symbolically started a study on this very day, the aim of which is not only to determine the level of knowledge about HIV disease and its prevention but also to map the tendencies towards risk behaviour and attitudes towards HIV-positive persons. The study is aimed at young adults - Czech and foreign university students and is conducted in the form of a questionnaire survey. The results will help to streamline prevention efforts by targeting problem areas. The questionnaire can be completed electronically and takes an average of 3-5 minutes to complete. Data collection will run until the end of January 2023.
