Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is a terrible disease which has afflicted millions of people worldwide. This syndrome is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); it destroys the immune system of the body making you vulnerable to other foreign agents and particles. In spite of millions being spent on research every year, this disease remains to be evasive without a permanent cure or vaccine.

We all know AIDS is spread through different ways but the most common one still remains unprotected sex. The only way to prevent contracting AIDS from your partner or sexual companion is to use a condom. Though not hundred percent foolproof, this is the only method which has been highly successful in controlling the spread of this disease. Prevention is the only key to stay safe of this dreaded disease; hence, there are hundreds of AIDS awareness programs and campaigns conducted all across the world to awareness among the public. Listed below are a few of these which have become highly popular for their creativity to continue educating the public on the use of condoms.

• Bubble Campaign – This AIDS awareness campaign by Denmark’s AIDS-Fondet was targeted to fight against stigmatization associated with the disease. It shows a person walking inside a balloon wearing a t-shirt which is inscribed: Prejudice is one of the worst side-effects.
• Catch the sperm – This widely acclaimed program is from Switzerland and is actually a small game created by Stopaids.ch. This game was an instant hit especially among youngsters and is still downloaded by many.
• Condom ringtone – This ad campaign, launched very recently by the BBC World Service Trust and Bill Gates has become very popular creating much awareness in the society. This ringtone was downloaded by a whooping number of people and continues to be heard even today.

• Condom tree – This is a brilliant AIDS awareness program that is carried out in Australia. In order to promote the importance of safe sex among the Aborigines, NCHS placed new condoms on river gums and eucalyptus trees; thus making this highly effective contraception available to all.
• Human hour glass – This ad campaign from France was designed to inform public that at least one person dies from AIDS every ten seconds. It shows a large human hour glass which is visually eye-catching and very appealing.
• Take out a condom – This is an AIDS awareness program that was showcased in Brazil on the World AIDS Day. Huge posters carrying the word ‘AIDS’ was propped up all across the city; the catch was in the condoms that decorated this word. Hundreds of people expressed solidarity by interacting with the poster.

• Where is AIDS – This is yet another highly popular AIDS campaign bought out in Brazil based on the theme of the book, ‘Where’s Waldo?’
• Protect Yourself from AIDS – This campaign was started in France on the night before the World AIDS Day 2007. Hundreds of bicycles with pink saddles were lined up which carried the significant message – And you, what do you do to protect yourself?
  Statue of Sorrow – This one from Canada features a woman’s statue inscribed with the words, ‘AIDS is still around’.

AIDS continues to be a harrowing and horrible disease to strike our society; it is not more campaigns that we need but more people who are receptive to the meaning of these campaigns.