The stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS in many countries is often as major a barrier to going for a HIV test or receiving treatment as is lack of services.

From 2nd to 7th October, JOICFP held an Africa Regional Workshop on BCC and Advocacy for Stigma Reduction and VCT Promotion in Kitwe, Zambia, under the UNFPA-supported Africa Regional Project 2006-2007, "Community Participatory BCC and Advocacy in the Fight against HIV/AIDS Total Management Model (ATOMM) Concept" (RAF5R303).

Thirty representatives from Ghana and Zambia, including those from PPAG, PPAZ, DHMTs, Youth Peer Educators, PLWH, UNFPA, and Health Ministries, as well as resource persons such as from IPPF Africa Region and JOICFP took part in the workshop.

After presentations on stigma, the baseline surveys targeting 15- to 24-year-olds, and BCC tools currently being used to reduce stigma and promote VCT, the participants took part in workout sessions to develop communication strategies, messages, and concrete plans for activities and media tools to reduce stigma attached to HIV/AIDS and promote VCT, especially among youth. The workshop was facilitated by JOICFP experts using a step-by-step model named "Communication Strategy Power Model" invented by JOICFP.

Participants develop communication strategies
during a workout session

Through this, communication strategies were developed, focusing both on the interpersonal as well as mass communication approaches. The participants first identified issues and listed causes, and then determined actions to address the issues with verifiable indicators, target groups and stakeholders.

Second, they identified communication objectives, senders and destination, and the route of communication along with potential obstacles. Third, they drew a map of the intervention area, noting the positions of key components such as schools, health facilities, local radio stations, and personnel involved in the project.

Participants from Ghana carry out the mapping exercise

In addition, an outline was made for a radio program production for each country to be made during October, and planned to be broadcast for at least 6 months starting in November 2006.

Field observation

During the workshop, a one-day field trip was made to the Masaiti District to observe firsthand ATOMM project activities, which have been supported by JOICFP and IPPF. The workshop participants divided themselves into several groups, met with stakeholders, such as community health volunteers, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), youth peer educators, PLWHA and health service providers. They discussed collaboration among the stakeholders and shared the findings with each other in a plenary session.

What was especially noted is that ATOMM is an actively community-owned project and that partnership among stakeholders is strong.

Meeting with TBAs in Masaiti District

In feedback, nearly all the participants highly evaluated the workshop, especially the Communication Strategy Power Model, mapping exercise, and field trip.

All the participants are expected to implement the developed strategies and the planned activities after returning home and to keep in contact with each other through email for idea and experience sharing.