Promotion of safer sexual behaviour and HIV/STD prevention among adolescent students and army recruits

Estonia is a country with a low incidence rate of HIV infection, but a high rate of STDs. Drug use is increasing among young people, with an unknown number of users. A considerable number of IVDUs are infected with hepatitis B and C viruses. There are conditions for rapid spread of HIV infection in Estonia. From 1997 to 1999, three prevention projects were carried out with young people by the Estonian Association Anti-AIDS. The idea of preventive strategies was to promote the young people's own decision making about risk behaviour. Interactive learning methods were designed for work with young people. Teachers and peer educators were seen as collaborators in prevention: for them an innovative methodological manual was issued and they were also provided with training sessions. During interactive workshops the project staff learnt from young people background issues such as aspects of their psychosocial and sexual development. From our experience, prevention must be carried out among the young people continuously as they need the development of the motivation and personal insight to establish the goals of personal (and sexual) health.