Title: Designing education interventions for AIDS in Africa: the role of human sexuality training and social marketing.

POPLINE Document Number: 050128

Author(s):

Hollister RM

Source citation:

[Unpublished] [1987]. 7 p.

Abstract:

In Africa, the design of educational campaigns to prevent the further spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been constrained by a lack of information about sexual behavior and sexual decision making; the fact that most researchers, educators, and the mass media are untrained in the area of human sexuality and inhibited in their ability to deal openly with related issues; and the highly political nature of the AIDS epidemic. The combined use of human sexuality training, focus group discussions, and social marketing offers a means of overcoming some of these constraints. This approach can be used by African health professionals and researchers to gain knowledge of AIDS- related high-risk sexual behaviors; by social researchers, social marketing experts, and health communications personnel to develop and test culturally appropriate media campaigns for high-risk populations; and by specific AIDS risk groups to understand the behaviors that place them at risk. The human sexuality training model proposed uses imagery and participants' memories of their own life experiences to develop the ability to discuss sexuality openly, without embarrassment or a judgmental stance toward alternative life-styles. Health professionals and program developers must be able to deal with a broad range of sexual topics if they are to design effective AIDS prevention programs. The focus group social marketing technique provides researchers with the social and psychological data they need to understand the sexual behaviors and attitudes of populations targeted for intervention. Such discussions are particularly important for the development of culturally sensitive AIDS educational campaigns that take into account the differing values of Africa's ethnic, tribal, religious, and linguistic groupings.

Keywords:

Africa
AIDS Prevention
Health Education
Obstacles
Sex Behavior
Attitude
Educational Activities
Short-Term Courses
Health Personnel
Group Meetings
Social Marketing
Developing Countries
AIDS
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Education
Organization and Administration
Behavior
Psychological Factors
Training Programs
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Communication
Marketing
Economic Factors