Time-old traditions addressing a modern health problem For
centuries oral story telling has helped shape society and
influence behaviour. It is this tradition that a team of
researchers from the University of Newcastle is using to address
the widespread impact of HIV/AIDS in China. Close to one million
cases of HIV/AIDS have been reported in China. It is a serious
problem in Sichuan province in particular, and the traditional
areas where the Ethnic Yi and Tibetans live have the highest
infection rates. Education and behavioural change are the aims
of Conjoint Associate Professor Shuguang Wang, Dr Melissa Gao,
and psychology Conjoint Professor Daphne Keats’ cross-cultural
research project. Wang and Gao came to Australia to undertake
their PhD research at the University of Newcastle. Both are now
taking the knowledge and skills they developed during their
studies back to their home country to address the growing health
issue of HIV/AIDS. Keats says western approaches to educating
people about HIV/AIDS simply do