In 1994, the Navrongo Health Research Centre of the Ministry of Health in Ghana launched a community health factorial experiment to test feasible means of mobilizing communities to deliver primary health care. A program of community health mobilization was developed with experimental cells comprised of alternative health service mobilization strategies. This paper reports on the evaluation of a project designed to integrate STDs/AIDs awareness into the existing community-based health and family planning strategies of this project. A 1996 baseline survey was followed by training of village volunteers to integrate STDs/AIDs counseling, risk assessment and risk reduction, prevention, education, and community awareness into their healthcare services regimen. Community meetings were organized and village chiefs, elders, and opinion leaders were mobilized for this program. In 1998, the survey was repeated. This paper assesses the extent to which exposure to the program affects STD/AIDs awareness, prevention knowledge, and condom use. Implications of these findings for health policy are reviewed and discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1) Understand the elements of a community-based approach to HIV/AIDS awareness building in rural West Africa 2) Recognize the social difficulties inherent in HIV/AIDS awareness building in rural West Africa 3) Discuss evaluation of community-based HIV/AIDS programs
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Community Participation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Navrongo Health Research Centre in Northern Ghana
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: USAID support for the Navrongo Project comes through the Population Council