The technique uses three “B-OK” bottles containing colored beads that help health care providers to explain to people living with HIV (PLHIV) in easy-to-understand terms about the best time to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) and why, and the importance of staying on it.
One bottle contains red and black beads, a second contains only red beads, and a third contains black beads with a single red bead. Each bottle represents a different state of HIV in the human body.
The bottle of red and black beads symbolizes the moment after an HIV diagnosis when people face critical decisions about starting or delaying ART. It can also represent a person who is unaware that they are HIV-positive.
The bottle of red beads symbolizes the unchecked progression of HIV without treatment.
The bottle of black beads with a single red bead symbolizes viral suppression achieved by starting and adhering to ART.
Health care providers can use this method when counseling of PLHIV about their HIV diagnosis and ART options. It helps to dispel myths and reshape attitudes towards HIV diagnosis and treatment. It simply explains the benefits of starting and continuing on ART to health and reduce the risk of HIV transmission, and helps frame and amplify the concept of “U=U” (Undetectable = Untransmittable).
A new animated video created by the USAID HIV/TB Agency, Information and Services (AIS) Activity helps health care providers in Myanmar guide people living with HIV in their decisions around starting and staying on antiretroviral therapy.
The USAID HIV/TB Agency, Information and Services (AIS) Activity aims to achieve HIV epidemic control by ensuring 95 percent of people living with HIV in Burma are aware of their status, 95 percent of those identified as positive are on antiretroviral treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed. It also aims to achieve a Burma free from TB by reaching every person with TB, curing those in need of treatment, and preventing the spread of disease and new infections. It is funded by PEPFAR and the Global Accelerator to End TB through USAID.
