In the context of the fight against HIV in Venezuela, the “i=i” (U=U or Undetectable = Untransmittable) campaign has positioned itself as one of the most effective strategies to reduce the transmission of the virus. This effort, led by our organization, has made it possible to educate, inform and destigmatize HIV in the country, changing the way society understands the disease and, in particular, the impact of the undetectable viral load in the prevention of its transmission.
The Implementation of i=i in Venezuela: An Active Leadership
Our organization has been a pioneer in the introduction, implementation, and maintenance of the i=i campaign in Venezuela. As leaders in this initiative, we have worked to ensure that this information is disseminated nationwide, reaching vulnerable communities and the health system, with the aim of reducing stigma and providing information based on scientific evidence. This has been carried out through information days, social media campaigns, training for health personnel, and alliances with other local and international organizations that share the vision of a world where HIV is not a reason for exclusion.
The Impact of i=i on Prevention and Education
The i=i strategy has proven to be a powerful tool in combating HIV transmission. Not only has it empowered people living with the virus, letting them know that they can lead a full life without fear of transmitting it, but it has also changed the public health discourse around HIV. In Venezuela, this campaign has achieved greater social acceptance of people living with the virus, reducing stigma and creating a space for them to speak openly about their condition and treatment.
The origin of the initiative: a response to the lack of knowledge
The motivation to develop this campaign in Venezuela arose from a confidential and voluntary survey conducted with 200 patients in the infectious disease service of the Vargas Hospital in Caracas. The results revealed a significant knowledge gap regarding the i=i concept.
He claimed not to know the meaning of the formula i=i
I believed that a person with HIV, even when undergoing sustained treatment, could transmit the virus through sexual contact.
He claimed to have never heard the expression “undetectable equals untransmittable.”
After explaining the concept and scientific evidence showing that a person with an undetectable viral load does not transmit HIV through sexual relations:
They accepted
this evidence.
They were later asked if they thought a person with an undetectable viral load could have children by traditional methods:
Once it is clarified that, by following the treatment correctly and maintaining an undetectable viral load , a person with HIV can have healthy children:
Finally, to the question of whether knowledge of i=i would help eliminate stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV:
This worrying lack of information highlighted the need to launch an awareness campaign, the aim of which would be to educate and raise awareness among the population about this reality.
This is how we decided to launch a comprehensive campaign that would not only explain the i=i concept, but would also help reduce the stigma associated with HIV and promote an approach based on science and empathy.
The i=i logo: A design with meaning
The campaign logo was created using the golden ratio, a design system that follows the Fibonacci sequence to achieve visual harmony. This technique allowed for the creation of symmetrical art, aesthetically and proportionally balancing the design elements. The idea behind this logo was not only to create something visually appealing, but also to convey the harmony and balance that i=i seeks to bring to the lives of people living with HIV, showing that they can live healthy, full and stigma-free lives.
Con el objetivo de ampliar la difusión del mensaje de i=i y llegar a una audiencia más amplia, Once Trece diseñó una campaña comunicacional integral que incluyó la distribución gratuita de textiles personalizados, materiales impresos, y la difusión de mensajes multimedia. Estas estrategias fueron cuidadosamente seleccionadas para asegurar que el mensaje clave de la campaña llegara a diversos grupos de manera efectiva y resonante. La distribución de los materiales fue esencial para que la comunidad conociera, comprendiera y adoptara el mensaje de i=i, y se llevó a cabo de las siguientes maneras
Volantes informativos para jornadas de y consultas de VIH
Se imprimieron 10,000 volantes con un mensaje breve y directo sobre i=i, diseñados para ser repartidos en las jornadas de atención de calle y en las consultas de VIH de médicos que forman parte de la red de Once Trece. Estos volantes tenían como objetivo educar de forma rápida y efectiva sobre la importancia de alcanzar una carga viral indetectable y su impacto en la prevención del VIH, permitiendo una diseminación amplia del mensaje en diferentes contextos sociales.
Afiches para visibilidad estratégica en la comunidad
Como componente central de la campaña, se imprimieron 1,500 afiches con un mensaje corto y directo sobre i=i. Estos afiches fueron diseñados para captar la atención de diversas audiencias en múltiples entornos y colocados estratégicamente en lugares clave, como farmacias que dispensan Tratamiento Antirretroviral (TARV) y consultas de VIH atendidas por médicos de la red de Once Trece, logrando que el mensaje de i=i fuera accesible a personas de diversas comunidades.
T-shirts as a symbol of identity and support
As part of the i=i campaign, 2,500 high-quality cotton T-shirts were produced and distributed, each decorated with the distinctive i=i logo. To maximise the impact of the message and ensure its resonance, different models and collections of T-shirts were created, tailored to different seasons and specific events. Each collection reflected the spirit and purpose of the event for which it was designed.
Mochilas de cuerda sublimadas para promover el mensaje en eventos y jornadas
Como parte del esfuerzo de comunicación visual, se sublimaron 800 mochilas de nylon con el logo de i=i para su distribución durante las jornadas y eventos de Once Trece. Estas mochilas fueron entregadas tanto al público en general como a los médicos y organizadores de la campaña, convirtiéndose en un recurso práctico y visible para llevar el mensaje de la campaña a todos los rincones donde se desarrollaban actividades de sensibilización y prevención.
Educational videos and social media presence to connect with young audiences
A lo largo de su historia, Once Trece ha producido más de 400 videos que abordan una variedad de temas, incluyendo documentales, entrevistas y contenido tanto serio como humorístico, enfocado en temas sociales y de salud. En particular, los videos relacionados con el VIH y el mensaje de i=i han sido una herramienta fundamental para conectar con audiencias jóvenes y difundir mensajes cruciales sobre prevención, tratamiento y desestigmatización de forma efectiva y accesible. Actualmente, el canal de YouTube de la organización cuenta con más de 2,900 suscriptores y alberga más de 90 videos, lo que ha permitido que el contenido educativo y documental alcance a una audiencia global. En Instagram, la organización ha construido una comunidad con más de 25,000 seguidores y 1,690 publicaciones, a través de las cuales se comparten campañas de concienciación y material educativo relevante que fortalece la misión de reducir el estigma asociado al VIH.
« Suena La VIHda »: A concert to raise awareness and celebrate the fight against HIV
Como parte de la conmemoración del Día Mundial de la Lucha contra el SIDA, Once Trece organiza el concierto «Suena La VIHda», un evento que combina música, cultura y activismo desde el año 2021. Durante estos conciertos, los músicos llevan con orgullo la franela de Once Trece, simbolizando su apoyo a la causa. Además, se transmiten videos con el mensaje de i=i, asegurando que la audiencia no solo disfrute de la música, sino que también adquiera una comprensión más profunda sobre la prevención y el tratamiento del VIH. Este evento ha sido clave para crear conciencia y construir una comunidad unida por la lucha contra el estigma y la discriminación hacia las personas que viven con VIH.
M=M: Carrying the message of i=ia to the indigenous Warao population of the Orinoco Delta
While all of these i=i campaign strategies had a significant impact in areas with greater access to information and resources, it was critical to reach populations with additional barriers, such as the Warao indigenous population of the Orinoco Delta. In this region, unique challenges are identified, such as language, remoteness, and lack of access to regular health services, which make it difficult to transmit key information about HIV and its prevention.
The Warao population faces worrying rates of HIV infection, a situation aggravated by the language barrier and limited access to treatment and education about the virus. In this context, the need arose to adapt the campaign to the reality of the Warao, respecting their customs and language. Thus was born the campaign “M=M”, which stands for “Minaka Oreku Ori Majanaka”, translated into Spanish as “Undetectable = Untransmittable”.
The Warao community, which lives mainly in the Orinoco Delta, has experienced a significant increase in HIV infection rates in recent years. This is due, in part, to the lack of access to adequate information, treatments and diagnostic tests. Recent studies have shown that HIV prevalence in the indigenous population is considerably higher compared to other communities in Venezuela, making prevention and education fundamental pillars to address this public health crisis.
The M=M campaign was specifically designed to overcome the language barrier and cultural differences that exist between the Warao population and the rest of the country. By carefully adapting the i=i message to the Warao language, the importance of maintaining an undetectable viral load to prevent HIV transmission was effectively conveyed. The translation of “Undetectable = Untransmittable” into “Minaka Oreku Ori Majanaka” allowed the campaign to be taken directly to the community, using their own language and creating educational materials that resonated with their culture and way of life.
This culturally sensitive approach not only helped spread the prevention message, but also helped reduce stigma and improve understanding of the importance of antiretroviral treatment among the Warao. Strategies included community workshops, visual educational materials and informational talks tailored to the needs and realities of the indigenous population.
Tanto la campaña i=i como su adaptación M=M reflejan el compromiso de Once Trece en la lucha contra el VIH, abordando la prevención y educación en contextos diversos y desafiantes. Desde la distribución de materiales impresos y textiles hasta la creación de contenido multimedia y la difusión de información científica, cada paso de estas campañas ha tenido como objetivo cambiar la percepción sobre el VIH, promover la adherencia al tratamiento y, lo más importante, reducir el estigma que afecta a las personas que viven con el virus.
The success of the i=i campaign in urban and access areas, together with the adaptation of M=M for the Warao population, has allowed a message of hope and science to reach every corner of Venezuela. Thus, we have managed to advance in our mission to educate, support and eliminate barriers so that all people living with HIV, regardless of their origin, can live full lives free of discrimination.