The section was formed to provide a stronger link between the community within Rakai and neighboring districts, and RHSP research team. Through dialogue fora with the community, the section creates awareness about HIV prevention interventions/research activities through education, advocacy, and community mobilization, liaising CAB activities, training community volunteers and promotion of combination prevention of HIV among key populations.
- To discuss community concerns, beliefs and perceptions about research.
- To assess community information needs regarding research activities.
- To dispel myths and rumors about HIV/AIDs prevention interventions.
- To enhance information sharing among PIs and community through meetings with CABs, trainings and feedback sessions.
- To promote use of HIV combination prevention interventions among key populations.
CHANNELS USED BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION DURING THE ACTIVITY IMPLIMENTATION
The section employs a multi channel approach to mobilize and promote health within the Rakai communities and to disseminate research findings. Variation of health education channels ensures that there is message reach to a wide group of people irrespective of age, and gender.
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Sensitization workshops
These are segmented meetings for targeted community opinion leaders and research participants lasting for one day. We provide updates of program activities and information on upcoming studies and services. This is usually the first activity to be held in the community and it involves community volunteers, CAB members, religious leaders, health unit representatives, cultural leaders, school representatives and any other influential persons. During such meetings, the sections call for active participant and ownership among the community leaders towards program activities, and participatory approaches are always used to ensure continuity of planned activities.
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General Community meetings
These are held at the lowest geographical unit, i.e. at the village level irrespective of gender and age. Through posters and volunteers/ local council leaders, the section is able to notify the community about the planned community dialogue meeting. During these meeting, participants are sensitized about the organization’s research activities and research findings. Community concerns, queries, and beliefs that might hamper the smooth running of the program activities are address and community participation encouraged.
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Drama Shows
This is one of the crowds pulling channel that attracts majority of the community members due to its entertaining and educating characteristics. The sections dramatizes all the program activities and requests locally existing to stage shows within the study communities with the aim of reinforcing the messages among study participants. Drama shows are staged in communities that score low at general community meetings and on average we register an attendance of about 150 participants. This is mostly the preferred channel.
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OTHER PARTENERS THAT HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION WORKS WITH
The health education section works in partnership with various communities, members during the implementation of the planned activities. Partnerships between the communities that participate in research and research institution (health education section) are vital to the success of research undertakings, educational and advocacy activities to HIV prevention research/interventions. Community advisory Board and other volunteers work as a bridge between researchers and study community.
