Using Education to Fight HIV/AIDS

Pro bono work helps combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in Guyana.

Research has shown that providing young people with knowledge, education, and life skills are among the most effective ways of fighting the global devastation of HIV/AIDS. That is particularly so in Guyana, where Booz Allen Hamilton consultants are assisting in the development of a training program that aims to educate young people about HIV/AIDS by increasing awareness about the disease, transmission, and prevention. Guyana has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS in the Western Hemisphere.

HIV/AIDS education house

The "Youth Can Move the World" program is a one-year pilot workshop that trains youth leaders to work in their communities as ambassadors for increasing the awareness of HIV/AIDS and healthy lifestyles. Close to 300 youths attended an introductory workshop held in Georgetown, Guyana. Booz Allen and Health for Humanity are supporting the Varqa Foundation by gathering and analyzing baseline and post-intervention data to gain a greater understanding of the implications of healthy lifestyles.

Paving the Way for Other Prevention Efforts

"Our evaluation can help this worthy program meet its defined objectives and identify viable solutions to help fight this epidemic," says Booz Allen Associate Debora Goetz, who is heading the firm's participation in the project. "Overall, our hope is that these kinds of efforts in youth development may pave the way for other prevention efforts around the world."

Goetz previously worked in Guyana for the Peace Corps as a Health Planner at the Guyana Ministry of Heath and was trained by the American Red Cross as an HIV/AIDS educator. She is a leading practitioner of the firm's program evaluation methodology, which she is applying to the work. Joining her on the assignment is Booz Allen Associate Victoria Elder, an expert in statistical analysis.

Booz Allen's analysis will provide valuable information to UNICEF, the Guyana Ministry of Health, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control on young people's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS in Guyana.

story posted August 27, 2003