FOLLOW UP:
I believe that in order to successfully infect knowledge, it needs to be given when people aren't looking for it.
Being a 21 year old male in the Kansas City gay community, I can honestly say that the threat of being infected by HIV is something I heavily overlook. Like most human beings, I have the tendency to feel invincible and convince myself that bad things won't happen to me. The truth is, anyone is at risk of being lied to, taken advantage of and exposed to the HIV virus. I realize teaching an old dog new tricks isn't an easy thing to do, but the gay community will take a more emotional response to things that speak to them directly and to things that give them a reason to think. Perhaps modern technology and tools, with the help of dramatic/powerful imagery, slogans and ideas can help promote the success of a campaign like this. Activism is one thing, awareness is another. I want to figure out how the two can be merged into a powerful movement that will educate Kansas City in a creative and innovative method.
This is a public health issue that affects the entire world, both heterosexuals and homosexuals, but I want to focus on the local gay community that I can directly relate to and speak with. There are many HIV awareness programs and organizations that don't make a loud enough impact on the busy lives of Kansas City residents. There is plenty of information readily available online and at clinics and hospitals for the gay population to access any time they choose to, but that isn't the problem. The issue is, how can this information about prevention and protection be broadcasted and forced into the lives of the unaware. Despite the thousands of fliers, pamphlets, posters, billboards, etc. containing knowledge about HIV, AIDS, prevention, transmission, symptoms and testing information, many of these tools go unused and unnoticed because they are outdated as far as means of effective communication is concerned.
HIV RESEARCH:
According to Wikipedia, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. The majority of HIV infections are acquired through unprotected sexual relations. Scientists believe that when the virus enters the body, HIV begins to disable the body's immune system by using the body's aggressive immune responses to the virus to infect, replicate and kill immune system cells. Gradual deterioration of immune function and eventual destruction of lymphoid and immunologic organs is central to triggering the immunosuppression that leads to AIDS. There is currently no vaccine or cure for HIV or AIDS, so its seriousness should not be taken lightly.
HIV.com reports that in the United States, over 600,000 reported cases of AIDS have been recorded since 1981 and it is believed that 900,000 Americans may be infected with HIV. Although development time varies from individual to individual, since 1992 scientists have estimated that roughly half of the people living with HIV will develop AIDS within 10 years of becoming infected. The CDC estimates that around 1.1 million adults and adolescents are living with HIV in the USA, including those not yet diagnosed, and including those who have already progressed to AIDS.
According to kcmo.org, there are currently 4,900 males and 790 females (15 cases per 100,000 population) living with HIV in the Kansas City 11-county area. The most recent data from the federal level says that as of 2006, there are 160 people living with AIDs in Kansas City.
TARGET AUDIENCE RESEARCH: (avert.com)
Young gay men are more affected by HIV and AIDS than any other group of people. In the USA, it is estimated that nearly 220,000 men who have sex with men were living with HIV/AIDS in 2006, and nearly 5,000 had died. Around 48% of men diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in America in 2006 were probably exposed to the virus through male-to-male sexual contact.
Despite the continuing impact of HIV & AIDS, there are signs that awareness is waning among young people. On top of the decreasing prevalence of awareness, many young gay men, may underestimate how likely they are to be exposed to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. There is also evidence that in some places, even where they are otherwise well-informed about HIV and STIs, young people do not believe that they are vulnerable to contracting them.
The data on HIV infections show that there is a need both to sustain current prevention work with young gay men and to develop new approaches. It is important to do both, so that young gay men don't forget messages about HIV & AIDS or start to think that they are no longer relevant to them and to meet the needs which arise as circumstances change over time. For example, young gay men may need to get updated information about new testing arrangements in their area or new types of condoms. At the same time basic information needs to be provided all the time because new young gay men are beginning their sexual careers and may never have been reached with information, support and advice about HIV & AIDS or thought it was relevant to them.
PREVENTION:
HIV does not target or "go after" any specific group. HIV infection is due to behavior, not ethnicity, orientation or age. Practicing safe sex and avoiding high-risk behaviors are the keys to protecting yourself from HIV. This begins with understanding that there is a risk of transmission any time infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or breast milk are exchanged. By limiting the possibility of these fluids entering your bloodstream, you are lowering the possibility of HIV infection. You can achieve this by limiting the number of people you have sex with, never sharing needles with anyone at any time and avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs before having sex. Drugs and alcohol may influence your decision and may reduce your ability to practice safer sex. Safe sex involves using a latex condom for sexual activities -- when used properly, latex is an effective barrier against the spread of HIV. In addition, the use of lubricants should be limited to water-based only, as oil-based lubricants can break down latex condoms within seconds of use.
HIV prevention and awareness programs and/or activities for young gay men should take into account the particular risks that can be associated with unprotected anal sex. This means that programs need to include the following:
- Information about how HIV is transmitted and why unprotected anal sex is particularly risky.
- Information about where to get and how to use extra strong condoms and lubricants. Really effective programs will include making sure that both are available to young gay men through health and community-based sources.
- Reminders to young gay men that it is their choice whether they have anal sex or not and opportunities for them to develop and enhance their confidence and inter-personal skills through which they can exercise this choice - enabling them to negotiate confidently with sexual partners about having sex, talking about HIV and about using condoms.
- Information and access to HIV testing and counselling. This may involve promoting existing services which offer testing and developing new and specific services which are easily accessible and especially appropriate to the needs to young gay men.
- Realistic messages targeting settings and situations in which young gay men can find it more difficult to maintain safer sexual behaviour. This can involve developing materials and information especially for distribution in clubs, bars and holiday venues and resorts.
By researching and educating myself about HIV and how it can be prevented, I believe I can make an impact on the gay community in Kansas City by visually attacking the issues of HIV education, awareness and prevention with new materials and information that will be distributed in public places. I will be targeting young gay males who need to be reminded of the dangers of unprotected sex and the risk of HIV. My initial ideas include innovative methods of delivering important knowledge and information, such as through very creative and unique fliers, online advertisements, typographic installations/projections, packaging designs for condoms (and lube), etc. I would also like to work with local HIV awareness organizations and activists who help me distribute and carry out my ideas.
Overall, I want to use design, information, and technology to wake up my peers and make them realize they aren't invincible to the threats of HIV.
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