Day 1 presents an overview of the scope of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the disease and its manifestations, and the multitude of factors underlying the epidemic. Participants are encouraged to consider their own attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS and also their feelings on discussing sex candidly.

Day 3 considers sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in terms of clinical presentation, implications and syndromic management.

The session on voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) highlights important issues in program management and attempts to provide participants with insights into the complexities of HIV counseling and testing. The last part of the day provides a fun approach to condom demonstrations.

Day 4 examines the two remaining transmission routes: the blood route and the mother-to-child route. Universal precautions and occupational exposure are discussed, and issues around mother-to-child transmission are debated. The main focus is on prevention, but aspects of care are also introduced. The day concludes with a session on stigma, which further links prevention and care, and thus provides a bridge to Day 5.

Day 5 focuses on people living with HIV/AIDS. The impacts of HIV/AIDS on individuals, families, communities and societies are explored. A holistic approach to care of PLWA is presented, addressing lifestyle, emotional, practical and medical needs. In addition, the role of support groups is examined, using a group of university students as a case study. At the end of the session, participants are provided the opportunity to write messages of encouragement to the student group. The course concludes by summarizing approaches to HIV/AIDS using the HIV/AIDS tree as a model.