Lessons learned from two HIV education activities and interventions in Trinidad and Tobago

In conducting a short-term assessment of the Nation Aids Coordinating Committee’s (NACC) information, education and communication (IEC) activities and interventions in Trinidad and Tobago, this study answers two main questions and makes recommendations for future best practices in the first and third of the four areas examined in a larger study. These were the most successful activities, and were selected for the sake of economy and for the purposes of this chapter. Two samples of 713 and 700 from section 1 and section 3, respectively, from a survey of respondents conducted during May 2005 provide data for the study. The first question focuses on the extent to which the messages communicated via two of the four IEC activities were reaching their target audiences. This question was addressed by measuring the extent of message recall, and identifying possible message channels and media. The second question focused on impact/effectiveness of messages (IEC activity 3 and activity 2) and an assessment of attitude, awareness and knowledge (IEC activity 3 and activity 4). Data from activity 1 and activity 3, which focus respectively on the use of a carnival campaign and the use of the local media, are reported in this chapter. The data were analysed using frequency counts and cross-tabulations to explore associations among the different sets of variables studied. The most successful IEC activities in terms of message recall and effectiveness were the carnival campaign and the newsletters and bulletins. The results for the two most successful of the four sets of activities and interventions indicate the need for continuation and refinement of the activities, with strengthening in some cases, and for the establishment of baseline parameters to measure the achievement of future objectives. The potential value and implications for networking among health communication theorists, researchers and practitioners are discussed.

HIV prevention programs of non-governmental organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean: the Global AIDS Intervention Network project

Objective: The objective of this paper is to describe HIV prevention programs conducted by nongovernmental organizations (NGO) that are meeting this challenge. Methods: One NGO undertaking HIV prevention program was evaluated in each of the 23 countries participating in the Global AIDS Intervention Network (GAIN) Project throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. A two-stage selection process was used: (1) a search in databases and other information sources; (2) identification of NGOs that were best established and most acrively engaged in HIV prevention activity. Executive directors were questioned about staffing, budget issues, populations served and barriers faced by these entities. Results: The 23 NGOs conducted 58 direct-service programs and had been conducting HIV prevention activities for a mean of 8 years (SD = 4.45;range 1-18 years). Average annual program budget was US$ 205,393 (range: US$ 10,000 to US$ 1,440,000). The NGOs reported a mean of 4.5 full-time employees (range 0-15, SD = 4.7). Many relied on volunteers (median = 10, mean = 51, range 0-700, SD = 150) to conduct HIV prevention activities. The NGOs provided prevention services for the general community (82.6 percent), children and adolescents (34.8 percent) and men who have sex with men (30.4 percent). Activities conducted by NGOs included train-the-trainer activities (43.5 percent) and face-to-face prevention activities (34.8 percent). Obstacles cited included lack of funding (60.9 percent) and HIV-related stigma and discrimination (56.5 percent). Conclusions: The strategies used by NGOs to overcome barriers to prevention are a testament to their ingenuity and commitment, and serve as examples for NGOs in other world regions. (AU)