Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 2

Written Answers. - HIV Awareness

Liz McManus

Question:

278 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate an ongoing multi-media public information campaign to inform people in a frank and non-moralistic manner, of the existence of HIV infection, the ways it is transmitted; and the ways to avoid it.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

Keeping people informed of the existence of HIV infection, the ways it is transmitted and how to avoid it is a vital element of public health information. The Health Promotion Unit of my Department has in place several initiatives which address this issue.

An information leaflet "HIV-AIDS — The Facts" has been distributed to the general public with print runs of over 500,000.

Specific HIV/AIDS Convenience Advertising messages are in place in third level colleges, women's health centres and entertainment venues displaying over 1,000 messages throughout the country. Two awareness posters are also available for display in schools, health centres and appropriate public areas. Copies of these posters are available on request from the Health Promotion Unit of my Department.

Educational Resource Materials have been circulated to every second level school in the country and two teachers from each school have had the opportunity to avail of inservice training which accompanies the dissemination of these materials.

A 30-minute educational video entitled "Don't Turn Away" has been produced and is available for use in educational settings. Over 500 copies of this video have already been distributed to health boards, schools, voluntary agencies and video resource libraries.

Also over the last two years Irish AIDS Day and World AIDS Day have been marked by the release of radio and/or TV advertisements which have helped to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS issue.

At all times my Department has been aware of the need to provide accurate information which will be accessible and useful to the target audience. It is my intention to continue the public information element of the Department's education and prevention initiatives and in this context I propose to launch a new multi-media campaign for Irish AIDS Day on 29 May 1993.