and radio. We see it as headlines in the newspapers, and more importantly, many of us know persons with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. They may be relatives, friends or co-workers. Even though AIDS has been in Bermuda for the past eleven years or more, there is still a reluctance to discuss it and modify behaviour.

For children today, growing up and coming of age in the days of AIDS is very hard. They need to protect themselves and in order to do that, they need to be educated about the transmission and prevention of AIDS as well as the high-risk behaviours associated with the disease. Young teens especially tend to perceive themselves as not being at risk for AIDS. Statistics in the United States show that seventy-five percent of teens with HIV infection and AIDS were infected through sexual transmission.

Teachers and health care professionals provide some education about AIDS, but parents are probably the best people to introduce the subject as they can also instill family values and morals. Some parents may find it difficult to discuss AIDS with their children because it involves the topic of sex. This is a unique challenge for parents.

Before parents talk to their child about AIDS, they first need to understand the basic facts. This information can be obtained from the Hamilton Health Centre on Victoria Street, S.T.A.R. and the Bermuda Library. There is much information about AIDS. Once parents have educated themselves, they can share the information with the child.

The child's age should be a guide for just how much information to give. A six-year-old will not need to know as much as a 13-year-old.

Always try to use specific and correct terms. Some children may be embarrassed to ask questions and, therefore the parent should watch for ways to start a conversation, such as a report on the radio, a television programme or a newspaper article. By the same token, some parents may be embarrassed to discuss AIDS and that is normal. However, the key to making a discussion about AIDS a relaxed and easy part of everyday conversation is to stay calm. AIDS is too important a subject to ignore and not discuss. Any embarrassment can hamper a parent/child communication.

Always listen carefully to the questions asked, particularly if they seem concerned or curios about certain facts. These may be a clue to specific fears and misinformation. Parents should also be careful not to preach. Preaching may imply accusation and this could deter a child from having further conversation with parents. Nor will scare tactics work. Conversations will be more successful if the parent simply explains their concerns. Parents also need to be aware of the values they wish to present in regards to sex and relationships, drugs and religion.

In conclusion, the topic of AIDS is too important for it to be just one conversation. This is a topic that needs to be repeated many times as a child matures over the years. The challenge and the threat of AIDS may be just the stimulus parents need to talk more openly. The results of this kind of conversation can only be positive and rewarding.

RHONDA DANIELS Nurse Epidemiologit.