It Starts With Me
Written by: Stephanie Andrews, Officer – Health Promotion and Workforce Development
World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1st, provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in combating stigma and discrimination while celebrating the advancements made in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2024, ‘It Starts with Me’, encouraged individuals to take personal action and recognise that everyone has a role to play. Whether it’s actively challenging HIV stigma, sharing accurate and up-to-date information about HIV, or honouring those lost to HIV-related illnesses, the theme emphasised collective responsibility through individual commitment.
On November 29th, WAAC hosted a free breakfast event at Forrest Place, featuring inspiring speeches from the Hon Dr. Katrina Stratton MLA, Dr. Daniel Vujcich, Dr Fergus McCabe, and individuals living with HIV.
WAAC provided grants to five regional organisations to support sexual health promotion and outreach initiatives that aligned with the theme. Below are brief summaries of some funded activities, as provided by the organisations. While the summaries have been edited for clarity, their messages remain unchanged.
Midwest Public Health Unit – WA Country Health Service
The Midwest Public Health Unit hosted an educational outreach stall on December 1st at the Geraldton Foreshore, engaging the local community in meaningful conversations about HIV. The stall featured an interactive information board displaying various educational materials and resources.
Community members were invited to use chalk to write or draw ways they could help reduce stigma and discrimination related to HIV. Resources provided by WAAC, including educational booklets, HIV ribbons, and harm minimisation resources, were distributed throughout the event (table pictured below).
To further encourage participation, the stall featured an ice shaver and a smoothie bike kindly loaned by the WA Centre for Rural Health. These activities successfully attracted community interest and engagement. Anecdotal feedback highlighted that while stigma and misinformation about HIV persist, the community valued the educational outreach stall and praised its importance and positive impact.
Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service, Kununurra
Sexual Health Nurses at the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service used the grant funding to promote sexual health testing among Aboriginal people at a community breakfast to a local mother’s group. This breakfast was well attended, with successful discussions of HIV and AIDS facilitated, and prizes given away.
Peer Based Harm Reduction WA, Bunbury
The Peer Based Harm Reduction Needle and Syringe Exchange Program, Health Promotion, and Nursing teams engaged the community through questionnaires and interactive competitions aimed at people who inject drugs. They also distributed print resources from WAAC and the Department of Health, along with red ribbons.
The competitions included:
- Design a World AIDS Day Sticker (winning design pictured below)
- Guess the Number of Condoms in the Jar
- Two Truths and One Lie
Anecdotal feedback highlighted genuine interest and positive engagement, particularly with the sticker design competition. Participants appreciated the opportunity to express their creativity in a non-judgmental space while feeling connected to an important conversation.
The condom jar competition sparked numerous discussions about sexual health and brought plenty of laughter to the event. The activity involved 60 questions, providing valuable insights for the Peer Based Harm Reduction team to shape future outreach initiatives. Responses indicated a community need for workshops, lived experience stories, and more statistics about HIV. Many participants discovered they had greater knowledge about HIV than they realised.
As an incentive, each participant received $10 cash, an icy pole, a bottle of water, and a lollipop, which contributed to the overall positive atmosphere of the event.
Southwest Public Health Unit – WA Country Health Service
The Southwest Public Health Unit facilitated several impactful activities targeting people who use drugs. These were:
Presentation at Smart2Share Agency Day (14th November)
- This session focused on HIV education and encouraged attendees to participate in the upcoming health expo. The event was attended by 38 agencies, with 15 safe sharps disposal posters and 20 safe sex packs distributed.
Smart2Ask Health Expo (21st November):
- At this expo, attendees received educational materials, safe sex packs, merchandise, and referrals for sexual health testing. The event saw 350 interactions, with STIs identified as one of the top five most intriguing topics learned by community members. During the expo, 500 condoms, 110 pieces of newly designed merchandise (including highlighters and stress balls, pictured below), and 75 pieces of official World AIDS Day merchandise were distributed.
Presentation at Intown Interagency Breakfast (27th November):
- This presentation emphasised education on U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) and the importance of sexual health testing. Thirty attendees participated, with U=U found to be the most valuable takeaway from the session.
Promotional Packs for NSP Coordinators:
Twelve promotional packs were distributed to Needle and Syringe Program Coordinators to share within their workplaces and with clients, helping to further raise awareness and promote key messages.