UNAIDS Pacific adviser Renata Ram says stigma and misinformation about HIV/AIDS are contributing factors that lead to an increase in HIV/AIDS cases in the country.
During an interview with The Fiji Times’ online portal, The Lens@177, she said Fiji had a generation of young people who had poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
“Because of this poor HIV knowledge, this fuels stigma,” Ms Ram said.
“Because when you don’t know something, and there’s so much information and misinformation available online as well, it becomes problematic.
“So, I have met a few individuals who would ask about HIV, and they’re like, ‘oh, if I kiss someone, can I get HIV’?
“So, basic HIV information is not out there, and we really need to do more.”
Ms Ram said Fiji needed to revamp its education programs on HIV/AIDS within schools.
“This has fallen off, and we really need to have more out of school areas for information as well,” she said.
“And it’s not only about information, it’s about promoting behaviour change.
“So, there’s a lot that needs to go in terms of addressing misinformation, but to address misinformation, we have to have very strong sources of good information.
“The internet can be a vehicle for change, but it can also have its negative impacts for a space where misinformation is just thriving.
“COVID is a clear example of how misinformation prevented people from getting services that they needed, and so the same goes for HIV.”
