A community-level AIDS prevention programme among sexually vulnerable groups and the general population in Bulawayo; Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

"Epidemiology models demonstrate the efficacy of interventions among ""core"" or vulnerable groups. However; in central Africa; where interventions among vulnerable groups omit large secondary risk groups; an optimal STD/HIV prevention strategy may be to combine targetted interventions among vulnerable groups with community-wide outreach. This paper describes such a community-level intervention in Bulawayo; Zimbabwe's second largest city (population 719 000); where vulnerable group members; including men and women involved in commercial sex; have been recruited and trained as outreach workers and condom distributors; both to their peers and the wider community. The programme's theoretical foundations lie in social diffusion theory; which argues that interpersonal communication is most effective in changing behaviour and that interventions may hasten behaviour change by encouraging interpersonal and community discourse about AIDS. It has 11 intergrated components baseline research; training of educators; peer education; community outreach; condom provision; improved STD services; drama/music activities; support for PWAs; income generating activities; evaluation; and replication. [abstract terminated]"