6 March 2008

The Cayman Islands Red Cross, an Overseas Branch of the British Red Cross, has launched a powerful campaign raising awareness of HIV – by using t-shirts.

Carolina Ferreira, programmes manager, explained why the campaign is so effective: "It is not everyday in Cayman that you see people wearing a t-shirt that reads 'HIV+' in bold letters, right on the front."The back of the shirt – which reads '…until proven negative. Get tested.' – is aimed at challenging the assumptions that we make about people's HIV status. We assume that people are HIV negative based on their appearance, profession, economic or social status, and we forget that HIV does not discriminate on those bases."  

The t-shirts have proven incredibly popular, with nearly 100 sporting them across the islands. Carolina said: "While a campaign like this may go unnoticed in places like London, one has to remember that this is a very small and conservative community where these topics are not readily discussed. Yet we have had a tremendously positive response. Requests have come in nearly every week from people wanting to get one of the t-shirts, sometimes even to send to friends abroad."

HIV in Cayman Islands

HIV prevalence in the Cayman Islands is believed to be very low, with a total of about 80 known cases since 1985. Unfortunately, regional experts have estimated that unknown numbers may be as high as ten times that amount.

Adding to Cayman's vulnerability are its very transient society, lack of comprehensive sex education programmes in schools, a conservative community which does not openly discuss sex, and a false sense of security created by the perceived wealth of its residents and mandatory HIV testing for work permit holders.

Carolina said: "We need to begin encouraging our people to get tested not because they are applying for jobs, not because they're trying to get a house, or a travel visa, but because they care about their health."

Peer education

The Cayman Islands Red Cross began raising awareness of HIV in 2003 when it joined the Together We Can peer education programme, which was developed by the Jamaican Red Cross in the early 1990s and turned into a Caribbean-wide programme a decade later.The peer education programme has been controversial because it advocates safer sex practices and postponing sexual activity. However, it is now part of the official life skills curriculum for year 11 students at the public high school in Grand Cayman.

For more information on how to get a t-shirt, contact Carolina Ferreira rxadmin@candw.ky.

Read more about the Together We Can campaign

Find out more about British Red Cross Overseas Branches