Avert (HIV and AIDS organisation)

Last updated

Avert (global HIV and AIDS organisation)
Founded1986 (1986)
FounderPeter Kanabus and Annabel Kanabus, daughter of Robert Sainsbury
TypeCharitable organisation
Focus HIV, HIV/AIDS, Sexual and reproductive health
Location
  • Brighton, UK
Area served
Worldwide
CEO
Sarah Hand
Website https://avert.info/
Formerly called
AIDS Virus Education Research Trust

Avert is an international charity that uses digital communications to increase health literacy on HIV and sexual health, among those most affected in areas of greatest need, in order to reduce new infections and improve health and well-being.

Contents

It works in partnership with organisations in countries most affected by HIV to develop and promote digital HIV and sexual health content and resources that are accurate, accessible, useful, and actionable. It focuses on digital communications to reach people online in spaces they are already spending time.

Avert’s work supports global efforts to end AIDS and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal for Health.

Avert is based in Brighton, UK, with staff members also based in South Africa.

Current strategy

Avert’s strategy [1] has three objectives focused on increasing knowledge, confidence, skills and evidence-based practices among specific targeted audiences, in order to drive improvements in health literacy, self-efficacy, uptake of services, and quality of community and local health worker responses.

1.    Increase the HIV and sexual health-related knowledge, skills and confidence of those most at risk of HIV and poor sexual health, and those living with HIV.

2.    Expand and deepen the knowledge, skills and confidence of educators and advocates working on local responses to HIV and sexual health.

3.    Support evidence-based practice among primary HIV and sexual health practitioners.

Current projects

ProjectPlatformsDescription
Be in the KNOW [2] Website, Facebook, InstagramBe in the KNOW is a digital brand that offers fresh, sex-positive content primarily for individuals in East and Southern Africa, and for the community health workers and primary practitioners that support them.
Boost [3] App, web app, Chatbot, Facebook and WhatsAppBoost is a digital, mobile-first set of communication tools that aim to increase the knowledge, skills and confidence of community health workers in Southern Africa, so they can provide high quality care and support to their communities.
Youth Boost [4] AppBuilding on Avert’s existing Boost platform, Youth Boost aims to increase the number of young people (aged 10-24) accessing HIV, sexual health, family planning, Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) and mental health services in four provinces in Zimbabwe.
Be in the Know Zambia [5] AppBe in the Know Zambia is a story-driven mobile app co-created with young people in Zambia, to increase condom-related knowledge, communication about sexual health, and support healthier choices.
Young Voices [6] Videos and comic creatorYoung Voices Africa is an interactive package of animations and information materials on sex and relationships – created by, and for, young people between 15 and 24 years old in Southern Africa.
Eagle [7] AppEagle engages out-of-school, low literacy girls in Mozambique through a digital life skills and sexual health app called Yaya (Sister). It is part of VSO’s Eagle project in Mozambique – Empowering Adolescent Girls to Learn and Earn.
Social media [8] Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedInAvert uses social media to share accurate, trusted and positive information on HIV and sexual health, encouraging conversations, and providing a space to share experiences.

Avert.org

For over 27 years, the Avert.org website provided clear and trusted information about HIV and AIDS. The site changed many times as technology developed. In 2015, the Avert.org website had a major redesign, with a focus on mobile users.

The website was divided into two main areas – public and professional. The public section of the site provided information for individual on sexual health, HIV and STIs, and relationships – including personal stories from the site's users. It offered reassurance to people newly diagnosed with HIV and dispelled dangerous myths about HIV and AIDS. The professional section of the site provided a thoroughly researched and referenced resource on the global epidemic, alongside an up-to-date news service to inform people working in HIV programming, policy or research, health workers, teachers and students.

In line with the changing needs of the HIV epidemic, the Avert.org website was decommissioned in March 2022 with the learning and evidence it generated used to develop a new youth-focused sexual health brand, Be in the KNOW. During its lifetime, Avert.org reached over 215 million people. [9]

Endorsements and accreditations

Avert endorses the Principles for Digital Development and is a Gold standard endorser. [10] Avert is also a signatory of the UK Patient Information Forum’s Health and Digital Literacy Charter. [11] It also endorses the Pleasure Project’s ‘Pleasure Principles’, [12] committing to a sex-positive approach to sexual health and rights.

In 2021, Avert was accredited by the Patient Information Forum (PIF). [13] Avert has the ‘PIF TICK’ quality mark, ensuring the health information it produces is of the highest quality, clear and accurate. [14]

In January 2015, Avert became a certified member of the Information Standard, a UK National Health Service (NHS) accreditation that recognises trustworthy health information. [15]

Awards

In 2012, Avert.org won the Nominet Internet Award [16] under the 'Online Training and Education' category, in association with the British Library.

In 2005 the Avert.org website won the British Medical Association's Patient Information Award for Websites.

History and early work

Avert was founded in 1986, by Peter Kanabus and his wife Annabel, daughter of former Sainsbury's chairman Robert Sainsbury. In its first fifteen years the charity focused on producing educational publications and funding HIV-related educational, social and medical research. [17]

A number of Avert's publications, such as the AIDS: Working With Young People (1993) teaching pack were based on substantial educational research. In addition many thousands of AVERT's booklets were distributed in the UK each year, covering such topics as sex education, sexuality and HIV.

Medical research funded by Avert included the first ever study of the effect of pregnancy on the progression of HIV disease, and social research included studies of HIV and drug use in UK prisons. [18]

The Avert.org website was launched in 1995 in order to provide education about prevention of HIV and support for individuals living with HIV and AIDS. In 2022 the website was replaced by Beintheknow.org offering a more tailored resource, primarily for individuals in East and Southern Africa, and for the community health workers and primary practitioners that support them. [19]

In 2001 the charity decided to concentrate on two key areas of work: its information and education website Avert.org website, and its programme work outside of the UK in countries with a particularly high or rapidly increasing rate of HIV infection.

The charity's work made headlines in 2008 when South African doctor Colin Pfaff was suspended from his post for supplying HIV positive, pregnant women with the antiretroviral drug AZT, [20] which had been paid for by Avert. At the time the South African government had not approved the use of AZT to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, even though it was recommended by the World Health Organization and was widely used in other developing countries. Rural doctors, scientists, AIDS activists and organisations rallied in support of Pfaff, and the charges were subsequently dropped. [21]

In 2014, outputs of research funded by Avert (the Care in the Home Study) exploring challenges facing caregivers in rural South Africa was published in the PLOS ONE journal. [22]

Until 2020, Avert funded a range of projects in developing countries. Avert worked with a variety of organisations, including Sangram in southwest India, Tholulwazi Uzivikele in KwaZulu Natal. The Umunthu Foundation in Malawi, Sisonke in South Africa, Phelisanang Bophelong in Lesotho, and Bwafwano Integrated Services Organisation (BISO) in Zambia.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in the United States</span> HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States

The AIDS epidemic, caused by HIV, found its way to the United States between the 1970s and 1980s, but was first noticed after doctors discovered clusters of Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia in homosexual men in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco in 1981. Treatment of HIV/AIDS is primarily via the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs, and education programs to help people avoid infection.

HIV-positive people, seropositive people or people who live with HIV are people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus which if untreated may progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS</span> Pandemic of HIV/AIDS

The global pandemic of HIV/AIDS began in 1981, and is an ongoing worldwide public health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2023, HIV/AIDS had killed approximately 40.4 million people, and approximately 39 million people were infected with HIV globally. Of these, 29.8 million people (75%) are receiving antiretroviral treatment. There were about 630,000 deaths from HIV/AIDS in 2022. The 2015 Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that the global incidence of HIV infection peaked in 1997 at 3.3 million per year. Global incidence fell rapidly from 1997 to 2005, to about 2.6 million per year. Incidence of HIV has continued to fall, decreasing by 23% from 2010 to 2020, with progress dominated by decreases in Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. As of 2023, there are about 1.3 million new infections of HIV per year globally.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, varies in prevalence from nation to nation. Listed here are the prevalence rates among adults in various countries, based on data from various sources, largely the CIA World Factbook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in India</span>

HIV/AIDS in India is an epidemic. The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) estimated that 3.14 million people lived with HIV/AIDS in India in 2023. Despite being home to the world's third-largest population of persons with HIV/AIDS, the AIDS prevalence rate in India is lower than that of many other countries. In 2016, India's AIDS prevalence rate stood at approximately 0.30%—the 80th highest in the world. Treatment of HIV/AIDS is via a combination of antiretroviral drugs and education programs to help people avoid infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in South Africa</span> Health concern in South Africa

HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious health concerns in South Africa. South Africa has the highest number of people afflicted with HIV of any country, and the fourth-highest adult HIV prevalence rate, according to the 2019 United Nations statistics. About 8 million South Africans out of the 60 million population live with HIV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Sonnabend</span> South African physician (1933–2021)

Joseph Adolph Sonnabend was a South African physician, scientist and HIV/AIDS researcher, notable for pioneering community-based research, the propagation of safe sex to prevent infection, and an early multifactorial model of AIDS.

HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981. As of year-end 2018, 160,493 people have been diagnosed with HIV in the United Kingdom and an estimated 7,500 people are living undiagnosed with HIV. New diagnoses are highest in gay/bisexual men, with an estimated 51% of new diagnosis reporting male same-sex sexual activity as the probable route of infection. Between 2009 and 2018 there was a 32% reduction in new HIV diagnosis, attributed by Public Health England (PHE) to better surveillance and education. PHE has described an "outbreak" in Glasgow amongst people who inject drugs, and has campaigns targeting men who have sex with men in London and other major cities. London was the first city in the world to reach the World Health Organization target for HIV, set at 90% of those with HIV diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed on HAART and 90% of those on HAART undetectable. The UK as a whole later achieved the same target. Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their HIV status in the UK.

The history of HIV/AIDS in Australia is distinctive, as Australian government bodies recognised and responded to the AIDS pandemic relatively swiftly, with the implementation of effective disease prevention and public health programs, such as needle and syringe programs (NSPs). As a result, despite significant numbers of at-risk group members contracting the virus in the early period following its discovery, Australia achieved and has maintained a low rate of HIV infection in comparison to the rest of the world.

The very high rate of human immunodeficiency virus infection experienced in Uganda during the 1980s and early 1990s created an urgent need for people to know their HIV status. The only option available to them was offered by the National Blood Transfusion Service, which carries out routine HIV tests on all the blood that is donated for transfusion purposes. The great need for testing and counseling resulted in a group of local non-governmental organizations such as The AIDS Support Organisation, Uganda Red Cross, Nsambya Home Care, the National Blood Bank, the Uganda Virus Research Institute together with the Ministry of Health establishing the AIDS Information Centre in 1990. This organization worked to provide HIV testing and counseling services with the knowledge and consent of the client involved.

HIV/AIDS in Eswatini was first reported in 1986 but has since reached epidemic proportions. As of 2016, Eswatini had the highest prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 49 in the world (27.2%).

The Catholic Church is a major provider of medical care to HIV/AIDS patients. Much of its work takes place in developing countries, although it has also had a presence in the global north. Its opposition to condoms, despite their effectiveness in preventing the spread of HIV, has invited criticism from public health officials and anti-AIDS activists.

The Naz Foundation (India) Trust is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in that country that works on HIV/AIDS and sexual health. It is based in the Indian capital of New Delhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV-affected community</span> Medical condition

The affected community is composed of people who are living with HIV and AIDS, plus individuals whose lives are directly influenced by HIV infection. This originally was defined as young to middle aged adults who associate with being gay or bisexual men, and or injection drug users. HIV-affected community is a community that is affected directly or indirectly affected by HIV. These communities are usually influenced by HIV and undertake risky behaviours that lead to a higher chance of HIV infection. To date HIV infection is still one of the leading cause of deaths around the world with an estimate of 36.8 million people diagnosed with HIV by the end of 2017, but there can particular communities that are more vulnerable to HIV infection, these communities include certain races, gender, minorities, and disadvantaged communities. One of the most common communities at risk is the gay community as it is commonly transmitted through unsafe sex. The main factor that contributes to HIV infection within the gay/bisexual community is that gay men do not use protection when performing anal sex or other sexual activities which can lead to a higher risk of HIV infections. Another community will be people diagnosed with mental health issues, such as depression is one of the most common related mental illnesses associated with HIV infection. HIV testing is an essential role in reducing HIV infection within communities as it can lead to prevention and treatment of HIV infections but also helps with early diagnosis of HIV. Educating young people in a community with the knowledge of HIV prevention will be able to help decrease the prevalence within the community. As education is an important source for development in many areas. Research has shown that people more at risk for HIV are part of disenfranchised and inner city populations as drug use and sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) are more prevalent. People with mental illnesses that inhibit making decisions or overlook sexual tendencies are especially at risk for contracting HIV.

Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS or serophobia is the prejudice, fear, rejection, and stigmatization of people with HIV/AIDS. Marginalized, at-risk groups such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, intravenous drug users, and sex workers are most vulnerable to facing HIV/AIDS discrimination. The consequences of societal stigma against PLHIV are quite severe, as HIV/AIDS discrimination actively hinders access to HIV/AIDS screening and care around the world. Moreover, these negative stigmas become used against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the form of stereotypes held by physicians.

Aidsmap, also known as NAM aidsmap, was a website which published independent, accurate and accessible information and news about HIV and AIDS. The aidsmap website was run by a charity based in the United Kingdom, NAM. The site closed in July 2024 due to challenges securing funding.

Cheryl Overs is a founder and former first director of the Prostitutes Collective of Victoria, the Scarlet Alliance in Australia and the Global Network of Sex Work Projects. Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1957 and educated at University High School and La Trobe University. Overs set up organisations, oversaw events and authored texts that established the place of sex workers' rights within the global response to HIV/AIDS.

HIV in pregnancy is the presence of an HIV/AIDS infection in a woman while she is pregnant. There is a risk of HIV transmission from mother to child in three primary situations: pregnancy, childbirth, and while breastfeeding. This topic is important because the risk of viral transmission can be significantly reduced with appropriate medical intervention, and without treatment HIV/AIDS can cause significant illness and death in both the mother and child. This is exemplified by data from The Centers for Disease Control (CDC): In the United States and Puerto Rico between the years of 2014–2017, where prenatal care is generally accessible, there were 10,257 infants in the United States and Puerto Rico who were exposed to a maternal HIV infection in utero who did not become infected and 244 exposed infants who did become infected.

Dame Anne Mandall Johnson DBE FMedSci is a British epidemiologist, known for her work in public health, especially the areas of HIV, sexually transmitted infections and infectious diseases.

References

  1. ↑ "Our strategy". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Be in the KNOW". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Boost". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  4. ↑ "Youth Boost". avert.info. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Be in the Know Zambia". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "Young Voices Africa". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "Eagle". avert.info. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  8. ↑ "Social media". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  9. ↑ "Avert.org". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  10. ↑ "Endorsers". Principles for Digital Development. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Forum, Sign the Health and Digital Literacy Charter | Patient Information. "Sign the Health and Digital Literacy Charter | Patient Information Forum". pifonline.org.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "The Pleasure Principles". The Pleasure Project. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Forum, The PIF TICK-Members | Patient Information. "The PIF TICK – Members | Patient Information Forum". pifonline.org.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  14. ↑ "Why you can trust Avert". avert.info. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  15. ↑ "NHS England » Certified organisations". www.england.nhs.uk. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  16. ↑ "Nominet Internet Awards". Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  17. ↑ Berridge, Virginia (1996). AIDS in the UK. Oxford University Press. pp. 179, 181. ISBN   0-19-820472-8.
  18. ↑ Drug use in prison, BMJ 1994;308:1716 (25 June)
  19. ↑ "Are you in the know about Be in the KNOW?". beintheknow.org. Avert. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  20. ↑ Clinicians Support South African Doctor in Dispute Over Providing AIDS Therapy for Pregnant Women, Fox News Channel, 18 February 2008
  21. ↑ KZN doctor cleared on treatment charge, Mail & Guardian, 21 February 2008
  22. ↑ Sips, Ilona; Mazanderani, Ahmad Haeri; Schneider, Helen; Greeff, Minrie; Barten, Francoise; Moshabela, Mosa (29 April 2014). "Community Care Workers, Poor Referral Networks and Consumption of Personal Resources in Rural South Africa". PLOS ONE. 9 (4): e95324. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...995324S. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095324 . PMC   4004532 . PMID   24781696.
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