Does peer influence have a role in the spread of HIVAIDS?
Peer education is said to be decisive in combating peer influence that creates a hotbed for the spread of HIV/AIDS in a university setting, including ECSU. To dismantle the network of the virus' spread, focusing on peer groups is also mentioned one of the agendas in the growth and transformation goals of the country.
These were disclosed in a discussion and debate forum ECUS' HIV/AIDS Management Unit jointly held with DKT and ' Timeret Le Hiwot' at Abay hall on 25 April 2012 under the theme 'Peer Influence and Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.'
The forum, attended by ECSU's students, staff members and DKT's promotion workers, was highlighted by melodic songs, poems, dramas and a traditional coffee ceremony.
In his opening remark, ECSU's HIV/AIDS Management Unit Training Coordinator Ato Anteneh Mekonnen noted that the forum is part of the campaign the Management Unit and the University's HIV/AIDS Club mounted to arrest the pandemic working hand in hand with partners pursuing the same goal. He expressed his hope the forum, in an entertaining manner, will update participants and refresh their knowledge about HIV.
'Peer education must not be mistaken for peer influence!' participants concluded after ten students split into two groups held a heated debate on whether peer influence contributes to the spread of the virus or not. One group was found off the track taking peer education for peer influence.
Participants hinted though it is good to maintain the belief 'Students must be confident enough not to let others reshape their mindset!' it is not plausible to downplay the role peers play in directly or indirectly molding the behavior of others. They added chewing 'Chat', smoking, drinking alcohol and promiscuity are behaviors university students from both sex nowadays adopt and adapt in a campus life.
Promotion expert from DKT Ato Abeje Israel on his part said
" University Debate Forum is one of the DKT's outreach activity adding as students of ECSU are drawn from various regional states and different administrative echelons of the civil service, the significance of the forum in carrying across messages to the wider public is immense."
Reportedly following the placement of condom in rest rooms and the HIV Club's sensitization work the awareness on condom usage has made an upward swing, though the role of peer education in the behavioral change is not substantiated with a through research.
The forum rapped up after Ato Anteneh handed over modest money awards to those students who read out poems and others that actively participated in the debate that ended with a tie.