Diaz, Jeramie; Dickenson, Regina; Ortega, Nenita L. RMT MA; Sescon JNMC, MD DPOGS
Pinoy Plus Association, Inc, Kaagapay Support Group

DISCLOSURE AND ACCEPTANCE OF PLWHAs
BY THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES:
THE PINOY PLUS ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE

ISSUE:

Disclosure of HIV status for a Filipino is a dilemma among family members. Often times difficulty arises when the person decides to seek support from immediate family members and relatives. Support groups like the Pinoy Plus Association, Inc. has started to mobilized themselves as a self-help group in alleviating the needs and concerns of their members and colleagues. Through this, it has successfully helped some of their members gain acceptance, empathic understanding and unconditional support.

METHODOLOGY:

The group request for consent from the positive individual followed by a scheduled regular family visits by members of Pinoy Plus to assess knowledge attitudes, perception of family members about HIV/AIDS. This serves as a leverage on how to tackle the problem., Education and family counseling are  done by Pinoy Plus positive members to correct myths and misconception. Reorientation of family members in terms of support services for  the affected and infected member is addressed as well. Follow up sessions are monitored to determine other issues that needs to be dealt with.

RESULT:

Experiences gained by Pinoy Plus as a self help group among families of its members in terms of family acceptance and unconditional has proved to be effective. Peer to peer intervention proved to be vital on HIV/AIDS program interventions.