Perceived sufficiency and usefulness of IEC materials and methods related to HIV/AIDS among High School Youth in Addis Ababa; Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess the perceived sufficiency and usefulness of HIV/AIDS information; education and communication (IEC) messages and materials as well as to identify preferences for IEC sources and methods. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions. A total of 901 students in Addis Ababa; Ethiopia; participated in the study. Over three quarters of the respondents believed in the usefulness of IEC. IEC materials were perceived to be useful in increasing knowledge about HIV/AIDS by 456 (51 ); to influence attitude by 357 (40 ) and to acquire safer sexual practices by 382 (42 ) of the respondents. None of the information sources and messages available for high school students highly satisfied the sufficiency indicators. Even though no single information source was highly preferred; radio and television ranked top. Life skills training was the most desired intervention by the students. IEC on HIV/AIDS was able to acquaint students with the disease rather than equipping them with knowledge and skill needed in their daily life. Therefore; appropriate and mutually reinforcing IEC messages with emphasis on life skill training are recommended

Problem-based learning in distance education: a first exploration in continuing medical education

The Wellcome Tropical Institute has assisted countries in the tropics to establish viable systems of continuing medical education; particularly for young doctors practising in rural areas. As part of this strategy the Institute has developed material for use in distance learning. The first attempt to apply the problem-based learning approach to written material for use by an individual learner in the absence of a tutor led to a trial in Ghana; Kenya and Pakistan to compare a conventionally designed module with a problem-based learning module on the same topic for their respective acceptability; effectiveness and efficiency. The design; implementation and results of these three comparative trials are presented

AIDS emergency education programme schools core materials development

The document is an orientation workshop report of schools core materials writers. The workshop was aimed at orientating the participants to the task of writing core materials that can be used for AIDS prevention through changing youth attitudes and behaviour and to involve writers in planning for the writing programme

An investigation into the utilisation of participatory health education materials by selected agents

The findings of this study show that it is worthwhile using a participatory approach to health education which can enhance the work of the agents and are often popular with the target groups who retain many of the messages portrayed in the materials. However; the discussion-based nature of the methodologies mean that they are time consuming and requires the agent to possess the necessary skills for their utilisation. The materials may be suitable for workshop settings but many other factors must be considered before they are utilised in the community; schools and clinics. These considerations emphasise the need for thorough material design; pre-testing; production and evaluation. It should not be taken for granted that expensively produced glossy materials will be automatically utilised by agents and the messages absorbed by the target groups. Health education is readily accepted as the responsibility of many agents but in practice very few personnel were found to carry out these activities even when fully supported by a well resourced health education unit. This emphasises the need to have many more community level health education personnel who have the responsibility to plan; implement; coordinate and monitor such programmes

HLM network brochure

Health Learning Materials (HLM) are all materials; both textual and audio-visual; required for the training and continuing education of all cadres of health personnel and for health promotion in the community. The HLM network for eng Speaking Africa (ESA) consists of national health learning materials projects in Ethiopia; Kenya; Mauritius; Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia and Zimbabwe. The work of these projects is coordinated and supported by the HLM Network Office in Nairobi