The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59698

William O Fleming, MSPH¹, Ityai Muvandi, MS², Jennifer Mboyane, MA¹, and Clarence Hall, DrPH¹. (1) HIV/AIDS Unit, Africare, Inc., Africare House, 440 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-462-3614, wfleming@africare.org, (2) Self employed Consultant, 56 Lawley Avenue, Lincoln Green, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe

The Africare WorldSpace HIV/AIDS Initiative (AWI) links traditional communication methods with satellite communication technology to increase awareness of HIV and uptake of HIV services. The project is being implemented in rural, underserved communities in southwestern Uganda and eastern Zambia. Africare partners with the WorldSpace Foundation to develop the radio programs for broadcast on the Africa Learning Channel. Participating communities gather to listen, discuss the health messages, and identify opportunities to address HIV in their communities. Participating groups include youth centers, schools, community radio stations, farming cooperatives, PLWA organizations, and local health services. Project objectives include: increased access to information on HIV/AIDS prevention and care; increased adoption of safe sex practices; increased utilization of voluntary counseling and testing services; and reduced stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. Midterm project results were evaluated qualitatively using structured focus groups and quantitatively though a Knowledge, Practice, and Coverage survey. The results demonstrate consistently high community participation; increased awareness and understanding of key risk behaviors and prevention methods; increased adoption of safe sex practices; expanded condom distribution and VCT service uptake; and a reduction of stigmatizing attitudes among participants. The project has reached over 10,000 people with information, condoms, counseling, and VCT. For example, VCT uptake has increased 4-fold in one participating community, and participants, particularly youth, are reporting sustained behavior change. The results illustrate that modern technologies enhance traditional communication methods, empowering communities to identify solutions that meet local needs and support the expansion of HIV services.

Learning Objectives:

• • Discuss advantages of using satellite technology to communicate HIV and health messages.
  • Assess the effectiveness of using satellite technology to reach rural and underserved communities with HIV and Health messages.
  • Describe techniques to link traditional and modern technology communication methods.
  • Identify opportunities to link modern and community based communication interventions in additional regions of the world.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: USAID grant funding; CDC's Epi-info; Worldpace Foundation's Radio programs and WorldSPace Inc. Africa learning Channel
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.