Ivanova K. A.

Kharkiv Institute of Trade and Economics of Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics

Prospects for development of social partnership in Ukraine

There are some projects of social partnership in Ukraine that are organized with Peace Corps. One of the project is ‘HIV PREVENTION IN UKRAINE’. HIV Prevention in Ukraine is an integral component of all Peace Corp’s projects (Youth Development, TEFL, Community Development) registered with the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth, Sports, and the Ministry of Economy. This is in a response to the urgent need to cap the growth of HIV infection in Ukraine. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine is one of the fastest growing in the world. Forum on HIV in Ukraine generated awareness of the need for ongoing support to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine.

AIDS is an insidious and up to the present moment incurable but less contagious disease than measles or hepatitis B. AIDS is thought to be caused primarily by a virus that invades white blood cells (lymphocytes) and certain other body cells including the brain. In 1983 and 1984, French and U.S. researchers independently identified the virus believed to cause AIDS as an unusual type of slow-acting retrovirus now called «human immunodeficiency virus» or HIV. Like other viruses HIV is basically a tiny package of genes. But being a retrovirus, it has the rare capacity to copy and insert its genes right into a human DNA.

Once inside a human host cell, the retrovirus using its own capacities begins to copy its genetic code into a DNA molecule which is then incorporated into the hosts DNA. The virus becomes an integral part of the persons body. But the viral DNA may sit hidden and inactive within human cells for years, until some trigger stimulates it to replicate.

During the latent period, HIV carriers who harbour the virus without any sign of illness can unknowingly infect others. On average, the dormant virus seems to be triggered into action three to six years after first invading human cells. When switched on, viral replication may speed along, producing new viruses that destroy fresh lymphocytes. As viral replication spreads, the lymphocyte destruction virtually sabotages the entire immune system.

In essence, HIV viruses do not kill people, they merely render the immune system defenceless against other infections, e.g. yeast invasions, toxoplasmosis, cytome-galovirus, massive herpes infections, special forms of pneumonia that kill in half of all AIDS patients.

That is AIDS. There are several types of AIDS. No one has been cured up to the present moment.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine is one of the fastest growing in the world [1]. Experts estimated in August 2010 that 1.3 percent of the adult population of Ukraine was infected with HIV, the highest in all of Europe [2].

Late 2011 Ukraine numbered 360,000 HIV-positive persons (increase in the rate close to zero compared with 2010) [3].

Between 1987 and late 2012 27,800 Ukrainians died of AIDS [1].In 2012 tests revealed 57 new cases of HIV positive Ukrainians each day and 11 daily AIDS-related deaths (on a population of roughly 45 million at the time) [4].

Volunteers and Ukrainians :

· Teach healthy lifestyle

· Incorporate HIV/ AIDS topics into English language classes and after school activities

· Organize youth camps and trainings

· Conduct public awareness events

The programme’s philosophy uses an ABC approach to help young people consciously stay away from risky behaviors, as well as to help those who are already engaged in such behaviors:

· Abstinence from risky activities

· Being faithful to one partner

· Consistent condom use

The programme offers:

· Age –specific programmes that tailor all information or activities to appropriate age groups: under 15 years old, 15-18 years old.

· HIV/ AIDS Trainings for Trainers three times a year for Volunteers and Ukrainian counterparts.

· HIV experts who can travel to Volunteer communities to train local NGO representatives, social workers, teachers and other service providers.

So, the goal of the project is to decrease vulnerability to HIV among at-rіsk and street youth by replicating and scaling up the coverage of the STEPS HIV prevention workshops, reaching larger numbers of children and youth with the knowledge they need to change their behaviors, skills and attitudes.

References

1. HIV prevention, AIDS treatment still lag in Ukraine, Kyiv Post (30 November 2012)

2. HIV infection rate, lack of spending worry Ukraine public health professionals, Kyiv Post(Augustus 10, 2010)

3. On World AIDS Day, a dose of good news, Kyiv Post (1 December 2011)

4. Jump up Ukraine, CIA Factbook (page last updated on November 14, 2012)