HIV / AIDS

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Mexico XVII - Communication

Communication perspectives - Mexico XVII AIDS Conference
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Mobile VCT Outreach – Zimbabwe

Country

Zimbabwe

Region

Global

Programme Summary

Population Services International (PSI) has launched a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) programme that uses entertainment as part of mobile health outreach. The programme travels to about 20 rural and peri-urban locations, delivering medical services to people living outside the reach of stationary New Start centres. The programme addresses sexually active couples and high-risk STD/AIDS populations. It is focussed on reproductive health, including family planning, STI management and AIDS prevention. In the words of organisers, this programme aims "to provide an entertaining educational format and an arena for reflection and discussion of complex issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention and risk behavior."

Communication Strategies

The mobile health service combines VCT care with various media programmes to educate the populations being addressed about HIV/AIDS. Specifically,

  • "Studio 263": viewers follow characters in this television programme as they confront and react to situations with implications for their reproductive health and "experience" the negative and positive outcomes along with the characters before these outcomes affect viewers in real life.
  • "This is Life": this 1-hour TV talk-show addresses HIV/AIDS prevention issues including abstinence, delayed onset of sexual activity, early treatment of sexually transmitted infections, alcohol use and abuse, and cultural and social norms.
  • "From Me to You": a radio programme addressing topics and questions raised by Zimbabwean youth on the PSI/Zimbabwe's reproductive health hotline.

Development Issues

Family Planning, HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

Organisers say that, as the programme progresses, they will place greater emphasis on the motivational side of behaviour change and expand edutainment and interpersonal communications techniques.

Organisers say that, when compared with clients seen at static VCT sites, mobile outreach tends to attract more female clients, more clients above the age of 30, and significantly more HIV positive clients.

Partners

PSI, USAID, DFID, Coca-Cola, Zimbabwean Post Office, and the Embassy of Japan.

Contact

PSI/Zimbabwe

30 The Chase West

Emerald Park Offices, Block E

(Corner Second Street and the Chase West)

Emerald Hill, Harare

Zimbabwe

Tel.: 011-263-4-334631

Fax: 011-263-4-339632

psi7@harare.iafrica.com

PSI site

Placed on the Soul Beat Africa site October 23 2003.


PSI, USAID, DFID, Coca-Cola, Zimbabwean Post Office, and the Embassy of Japan.

Source

PSI site.


Placed on the Communication Initiative site December 11 2003
Last Updated December 11 2003


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HIV/AIDS Social Norm Change

From your regional context and perspective, which should be the priority focus for social norm change related to HIV/AIDS prevention?