Today with HIV spreading like an epidemic across the world over, dissemination of the information and the truth behind this epidemic should reach the masses the world over so that the ignorance of the people is changed to HIV awareness. It is only when the people are aware about the truth that we can keep a check on the devastating virus. For the same purpose, i.e. for spreading HIV awareness various ways and means are used by the government as well as the non-government bodies and still it has been observed that the misconceptions about the virus infection continue to exist. The various ways and means by which HIV awareness is being spread all over the world are:

Role of media:

Media has been an important tool in spreading awareness about HIV all over the world. With the help of various advertisements on the television which help people understand as to how HIV infection occurs and how it spreads people have become aware of many factors like the fact that HIV is not spread by touching or sharing things etc.

Apart from the television other means like the newspaper and the radio have also contributed a lot to this field by advertising and informing people the ways and means to prevent HIV and also various other treatments available for the same. And also providing knowledge as what to do and what not do during the phases of the HIV infection etc.

Role of various non government organizations (NGOs):

The various non governmental organizations have also been an important tool in spreading HIV awareness. With various programmes run by these NGOs whether in the urban or the rural areas people have become aware about everything related to HIV, be it the ways by which it is spread or the ways it is not spread and also the preventions and the treatment available for the same. They make people aware as well as provide them with funds if the people are not able to pay for their treatment etc.

Various other tools and other methods are being used by the government of other countries in order to spread awareness among the youth as well as the children, who are the future of any nation about the dreaded HIV. A few of them are enlisted as under:

• Various awareness programmes are conducted in school and colleges to help students understand the ruinous effects of the virus and also tell them the importance of safe sex and other such important factors.
• Events and other cultural programmes are held at various levels to collect funds as well to make people aware about the HIV and the infection so caused by it.
• Dramas and skits are organized in order to spread awareness.
• Worlds Aids Day is observed on 1st December every year to spread HIV awareness
• Of late various movies have come up with the subject and have enabled people to have a better approach towards dealing with HIV.