HIV/AIDS

The China HIV/AIDS Information Network (CHAIN) has published a handbook for HIV/AIDS workers containing advice on how to use the internet to obtain and share information. The handbook, which is published in Chinese, can be ordered from CHAIN for free between now and June 30.

For more information and instructions on how to order this resource, see the announcement on CHAIN's website (link in Chinese).

Added Jun 23: The electronic version (PDF, 21.0 MB) is now also available for download.

Since 2003, the China HIV/AIDS Information Network (CHAIN) has been delivering up-to-date news and information to HIV/AIDS workers through its website and mailing list. This nonprofit organization updates its website daily with news from around the country, as well as providing hundreds of digital resources for download (link in Chinese).

CHAIN has also done a lot of work in recent weeks to expand and update its online directory (link in Chinese) of HIV/AIDS organizations in China, ranging from community support groups and NGOs to government agencies and academic institutions. The directory now boasts almost 700 entries, and can be searched by province, field of work, and other criteria.

Asia Catalyst has announced the "public beta" launch of the Asian AIDS Law Database, a free online database of more than 100 HIV/AIDS-related statues from over 20 countries in Asia. The user interface is bilingual Chinese and English, although most of the content (the laws themselves) is available in only English.

According to Ken Oh, editor of Asia Report, the news site that hosts the database:

"The database will enable lawyers to analyze AIDS-related laws, and use them in their own advocacy. Asian AIDS activists tell us that some governments are more responsive to model language from another Asian law."

In an effort to address the increasing rate of sexually transmitted HIV cases, the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control this month unveiled www.gztellthem.org, a website which allows people diagnosed with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections to anonymously notify past sexual partners via a text message sent to their mobile phone.

Via an easy-to-use online form, users enter an anonymous message, and up to five mobile phone numbers. The following notification is then sent to each phone number (in Chinese):

A message from Guangzhou Center for Disease Control: your friend was tested at our center and left you a message. To view it please log onto http://www.gztellthem.org, or phone Dr. Wen or Dr. Liu at 15920181069 / 020-83826875. Your authentication code: XXXX.

The website also provides information about where to go (in Guangzhou) for anonymous HIV counselling and testing.

The majority of HIV carriers in China (as in many other countries) have never been tested, and are not aware of their HIV+ status. Early testing not only means they can receive timely medical attention, it also means they can take precautions to prevent transmitting the virus to other people.

An organization called TeachAIDS has developed an animated Flash tutorial on how HIV is (and is not) transmitted. It is available in several localized versions, including Chinese.

The Chinese version, which can be viewed here, features audio in Mandarin and text in Simplified Chinese, making it suitable for mainland China. Other versions include a generic English version, an Indian version with male characters, and an Indian version with female characters.

The tutorial is mainly in the form of cartoon animation, and also features an interactive quiz on safe and risky behaviour. Having several years experience in the HIV/AIDS field, I think the content is accurate, but I feel that the explanation of HIV is overly technical, and that not enough effort has been put into making the core messages relevant to the user. I fear that this may limit the effectiveness of the resource in changing attitudes and behaviours.