I WANT TO KNOW – User Friendly Access to HIV and other STI Voluntary Counseling and Testing for Roma Youth (2019–2021)
The project of BFPA, supported by ViiV Healthcare through Charity Aid Foundation (CAF), puts special focus on marginalized and socially deprived groups. Growing vulnerability towards HIV/AIDS and other STI infections among Roma young men is happening in the context of social isolation, unemployment and poverty. Illiteracy, lack of social skills and motivation, low health culture, poor health services coverage in Roma neighborhoods and especially lack of health prevention programs determine the increasing cases of people affected by HIV and other STIs.
Main target group of the project are young Roma men (age 12-25), but the initiatives are not excluding Roma girls and parents. Health education and behavior changes communication and activities are involving all community members.
Young Roma people from 5 locations: Pleven, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Russe and Sofia, including villages and poor marginalized districts are to be engaged. Awareness raising by screening and diagnosis campaign; counseling sessions and voluntary free counseling and testing including referrals and assistance for early start of treatment of newly diagnosed PLHIV are among main activities. Gathering stories and facts about Roma adolescents who are exposed to different risks is foreseen for developing advocacy tool.
