Background
8800 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Moldova in 2007, according to UNAIDS. Although this number is lower than in other nearby countries, a big problem is that only 58% of them are being treated. Until the year 2000, HIV/AIDS mainly spread among injecting drug users in Moldova, but in later years this has decreased and more people have become infected through heterosexual relations. This has led to women and young people becoming more vulnerable, but it is still a challenge to promote HIV testing to those at risk. Many people are unaware of their HIV status and there is a need for access to sexual and reproductive health services in order to effectively prevent the spread of the disease.

About the project
This project was created to improve young people’s sexual and reproductive health by stopping the spread of HIV infection among them. The project team worked with two youth-friendly health centres, one in Balti and one in Chisinau. A voluntary and confidentially counseling and testing programme was established at each youth centre, where young people aged 15-25 were involved. They were tested for HIV and received health education on how to protect themselves against pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Results
By the end of the project, 65 young people were counseled and tested for HIV in Chisinau and 100 in Balti. Three young people were found to be HIV positive and were referred to the National HIV/AIDS Centre for treatment. 523 youth participated in the health education classes in Chisinau and 280 received individual consultations by the staff at the youth centre. All in all, this project informed young people about HIV/AIDS, STIs and how to protect themselves. It also helped reduce stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

Year: 2008