Title: Theory into practice: programmes for specific groups.

POPLINE Document Number: 193506

Author(s):

Obertsibi-Lamptey J

Source citation:

[Unpublished] 1988 Jan. Speech presented at the World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention, London 26-28 January 1988, jointly organized by the World Health Organization and the United Kingdom government. 5 p.

Abstract:

Preventing the spread of AIDS challenges us with positively influencing the behavior of individuals and groups. Prejudices must be set aside to allow true communication, and to utilize all the available resources. Evidence is already arriving to indicate that positive behavioral changes are being effected worldwide, offering encouragement that our work as communicators will make a difference. National efforts must shelter numerous private and public efforts aimed at specific groups. The 1st element is to learn about the disease and the behavior of our people. We must learn how much the target group already knows about AIDS, what their behaviors and attitudes are, and how amenable these are to change. Monitoring and evaluation are essential elements of an effective strategy, in order to provide directions for growth and change. Monitoring and evaluation must begin in the planning stage, and must be continuous and ongoing. As we want people to want to change their behavior, we must recognize the differences between people, in situations, in cultures, in mores. Presentations at this summit have covered programs aimed at women in different social roles in New York City, a study of adolescents and their lifestyle to plan a program in Denmark, work with traditional Aboriginal people to create relevant symbols, language and meaning, and a program for drug addicts in Amsterdam. The essential point is not the specifics of a program, but the process of planning, evaluating the knowledge, behavior and attitudes of the target group, and involvement of the target group in planning the message. (author's modified

Keywords:

HIV Prevention
AIDS Prevention
Communicable Disease Control
Program Design
Program Evaluation
Program Development
Target Population
Needs
Behavior
Educational Activities
Philosophical Overview
Recommendations
Changes
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
AIDS
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Programs
Organization and Administration
Economic Factors
Education
Social Change