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In China, AIDS is one of the leading causes of death associated with HIV. However, talk of this remains a taboo topic among Chinese. But the country has been gradually stepping up efforts in AIDS prevention, especially through education. In recent years, schools have launched AIDS awareness campaigns.

Sex and sexually transmitted diseases have been taboo topics in China for long. But as the country takes steps to bolster its AIDS prevention efforts. It has required teachers to discuss them in the classroom. Youth groups are the most vulnerable to the disease because of a lack of access to information.

“University is a critical stage for students to develop a healthy lifestyle after leaving home. Although China is a low-epidemic area as a whole, students are a vulnerable group. It is very important to teach them knowledge of the disease,” said Miu Feng, Vice Party Secretary of Zhejiang University Hospital.

Madame Peng Liyuan is the World Health Organization’s goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and AIDS. She has attended numerous campaigns and filmed a video to raise more awareness of the disease.

Education plays a crucial role in efforts to prevent the spread of AIDS. It raises awareness; explains how the disease is transmitted; and reduces discrimination against people with HIV.

National health authorities have launched the Red Ribbon campaign and worked with schools across the country. Zhejiang University, for instance, introduced sex education and organized volunteering events for many years.

“We have designed different teaching programs according to students’ lifestyle and habits. For example, we give lectures about how to prevent AIDS infection in youth hostels or some interaction programs, so they can better absorb the knowledge,” said Jiang Huana, Red Cross volunteer of Zhejiang University.

“In an event, volunteers pretended they were infected people and tried to hug me, and I dodged by instinct, even if I knew it can’t be transmitted by hugging. I felt ashamed to have such a reaction and showed empathy for the infected people when I saw them crying. It was a powerful lesson,” said Chen Sida, graduate student of Zhejiang University.

More sex education programs and facilities will brought to Chinese campuses to ensure young people’s participation in the fight against the disease.