Potential development of peer-volunteers in preventing and dealing with HIV/AIDS problemsamong drug users

Abstract

This research aimed to1) study the need of potential development of peer-volunteers in preventing and dealing with HIV/AIDS among people who use drugs 2) find proper ways to develop the potential of peer-volunteers in preventing and dealing with HIV/AIDS problems among drug users to obtain as a basis to develop the learning program to enhance the potential of peer-volunteers in preventing and dealing with HIV/AIDS among drug users. The study was conducted in Songkhla province. Data were collected by interviewing 3 groups of people; 1) 9 peer-volunteers who work for the foundation working with drug users in the research area 2) 4 staffs from the foundation who supervise the peer-volunteers in the research area 3) 5 nurses from the hospital who work closely with peer-volunteers in the research area. Content analysis was used to analyse the data gained from the interviews.

The result from the study shown thatneeded potentials for working as a peer-volunteer in preventing and dealing with HIV/AIDS problems among drug users consisted of 1) personality and self-management 2) knowledge 3) skills and abilities 4) positive attitudes.It was also found that suggestions for the proper ways todevelop the potential of peer-volunteers in preventing and dealing with HIV/AIDS problems among drug users consisted of 1) it has toconsider the needs of peer-volunteers and allow them to participate in the design of potential development programs 2)there must be a concrete plan for potential development programs which has to be conducted continuously and consistency3) there must be a friendly learning program and allow peer-volunteers to show their full potentials4) there must be a learning opportunity that allows peer-volunteers to learn each other by practicing through the actual work 5) there must be a learning opportunity that allows peer-volunteers to share their other life experiences beyond their work experiences.