Community-based HIV/AIDS education in rural Uganda: which channel is most effective?

• Published in: Health education research Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 411 - 423
• Main Authors: Mitchell, K., Nakamanya, S., Kamali, A., Whitworth, J. A. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.08.2001; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Behavior Change; Community based programmes; Community Health Services - methods; Community Health Services - organization & administration; Community Involvement; Community Relations; Cultural Characteristics; Education; Focus Groups; Formative Evaluation; Health Education - methods; Health Services Research; Health technology assessment; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Information sources; Interviews; Meetings; Multidimensional approach; ORIGINAL ARTICLES; Peer Influence; Program Evaluation; Rural areas; Rural Population; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teaching Methods; Uganda; Video Technology; Uganda
• ISSN: 0268-1153; 1465-3648; 1465-3648
• DOI: 10.1093/her/16.4.411

A process evaluation was conducted to evaluate four channels (drama, video, community educators and leaflets) used in a community-based IEC (Information, Education and Communication) HIV/AIDS intervention in rural Uganda. Semi-structured interviews (n = 37) and focus groups (n = 3) were held with community members working as field staff. In addition, two questionnaire surveys (n = 105 and n = 69) and eight focus groups were conducted with the target community. Over 85% of the community had seen at least one drama or video show. They rated them as relevant and realistic. However, the messages `taken home' were not always those intended by the plays. Access to community educators (CEs) was not equal. The CEs had a tendency to avoid the educated, rich and their older relatives. Those who had met with a CE rated them as knowledgeable and trustworthy, but felt they would rather be taught by a trained health worker. Around 80% of the community said they had seen the leaflets, but had not necessarily read them. Although appreciated by some as reference material, low literacy levels and a lack of reading culture meant that some leaflets may have gone astray. These findings suggest that a multi-channel approach may be required to overcome weaknesses inherent in individual channels.