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Summary Table of the Communications Framework for HIV/AIDS
The problem of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia has been a devastating phenomenon that needs a joint action at all levels. One of the major problems in curbing the problem of HIV/AIDS has been difficulty to bring the intended individual behavior and social changes due to lack of appropriate interventions based on a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS communication framework. To this effect, Pact Ethiopia in collaboration with key stakeholders initiated the adoption of a communications framework developed by UNAIDS. The bases of this framework are the five interrelated domains i.e. government policy, socio economic, culture, gender and spirituality. The communication framework addresses major issues in HIV/AIDS, their implications in HIV/AIDS, desired outcome, advocacy and BCC objectives, audience, message, channels of communication indicators for measuring success and possible partners for implementation. More than one communication approach or objective can be used in the process. This communication framework creates an enabling environment for individual behavior and social change. Only by addressing all of the issues that affect the individuals ability to achieve change can the goal of reducing HIV/AIDS transmission be achieved in Ethiopia. However, there is a need to develop region/provincial specific HIV/AIDS guidelines based on this general framework.
Issues |
1. Many of the rural women migrating to towns in attempt to look for jobs usually end up in prostitution. 2. Certain occupations (such as long distance driving) are predisposing many men and women to indulge in high-risk sexual behaviors. 3. Limited access to technical skill training and job opportunities for young men and women is leading people to indulge in unprotected commercial sex. 4. Availability and access to health service is poor and health education is weak throughout the country. 5. The more economically better-off segments of the population sugar daddies indulge in high-risk activities 6. Little access to technical skill training opportunities available to people, especially women 7. Women are economically dependent on men, hence hold a subordinate position in the relationship, thus are not empowered to make decisions in sexual relationships 8. Private sector is inadequately involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and care activities 9. HIV/AIDS prevention and care activities including STD management and care do not exist inmost of the work places, especially in the industries 10. Productivity is affected by sick leave and death of PLWHA 11. PLWHA, orphans and affected families are not getting the required support to lead relatively healthy lives in their respective communities |
Implications for HIV/AIDS |
1. A significant number of rural women are sexually abused by men, while trying to find a job in urban areas (particularly by brokers). 2. Women anticipating better life in towns usually end up getting nothing but in bars, hotels and restaurants to be prostitutes through women traffickers. 3. Facilitates the spread of HIV and STDs among people practicing multi-partner sexual practices and eventually to their families. 4. Young boys and girls are tempted to broker or sell sex in order to get some income. 5. Young girls and sex workers are frequently sexually abused. 6. Increase in prevalence of STDs and HIV among sex workers and young people. 7. There are extremely little opportunities for people to know about their sero-status and accordingly shape their behaviors. 8. Inadequate and inappropriate STD treatment facilitates HIV acquisition and spread. 9. Promotion of high risk behaviors leading to spread of HIV and STDs. 10. Lack of technical skills leads women to indulge in prostitution. 11. Among men lack of technical capacity leads to joblessness, eventually to street life and indulging in high risk behaviors leading to the spread of HIV infection 12. Women are less able to negotiate their positions and have lesser power in decision making regarding family planning, condom use, HIV/STD testing. 13. The rate of STDs/HIV infection increases because of lack of resources and hence girls are less likely to stay in school and are more vulnerable to older men, sugar daddies, and prostitution 14. HIV can become occupational hazard in some industries and can facilitate spread of HIV infection. There can also be increased discrimination and stigmatization of PLWHA in work places. 15. Significant proportion of productive workforce is reduced due to AIDS. 16. Production centers selectively avoid providing job opportunities to PLWHA. This leads to greater discrimination and stigmatization of PLWHA. 17. Overall the economy of the community and the country at large is greatly compromised. 18. Increased burden on health services to cope up with increasing number of AIDS patients. Increased stigmatization and discrimination against PLWHA and their families. |
BCC Objectives |
1. Increase the self-protection skills of women against rape and other forms of abuse. 2. All women protect themselves against acquisition of STDs and HIV by using condoms. 3. Women have adequate knowledge and skills of identifying the proper channel of finding jobs. 4. Travel and migration along various transportation corridors is encouraging people to indulge in high-risk practices hence increasing the incidence of HIV in the relatively low risk population. 5. Reduce the spread of HIV from high-risk group population into family structures. 6. Increase the condom use rate by the mobile people. 7. Reduce the number of sexual partners of mobile population, and the youth. 8. Increase the capacity of young men and women to develop the skills of finding appropriate jobs. 9. Decrease the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among the whole population and particularly the risk groups. 10. Reduce the prevalence of misconceptions regarding HIV/AIDS to the minimum. 11. Develop positive attitudes towards STD management and care given at health institutions. 12. Increase the peoples have favorable health seeking behaviors. 13. Increase demand for VCT services among the population in general and among the high-risk groups in particular. 14. Reduction in prevalence of high-risk behaviors (mainly multipartner sexual contacts and commercial sex) among the rich and better-offs 15. Enhancement of decision making capacity of women 16. Development of negotiating skills of women in resource sharing as well as sexual relationships. 17. Building capacity of women in engaging income generating activities. 18. Influence private investors develop positive attitudes and steps in engaging in HIV/AIDS related control activities. 19. Managers and administrators develop positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS control in work places. 20. Promote the capacity of PLWHA to enable them to fight for their rights. |
Advocacy Objectives |
1. Advocate for formulation of new or reinforcing existing laws to protect women from being sexually abused. 2. Lobby among various NGOs and other business entrepreneurs to create jobs for rural women. 3. Advocate for increase the opportunities for decent jobs for women. 4. Promote involvement of influential community groups to strengthen family values and sense of protectionism among family members of mobile people. 5. Job opportunities created for young people. 6. Alternate job opportunities sorted out for CSWs. 7. Advocate for commitment of more resources by policy makers for making quality health services (including STD care and VCT) available, affordable and physically accessible to the needy population. 8. Advocate for promotion of skills training establishments to the majority of the needy population. 9. Lobby for increase in more opportunities for women (affirmative action) to generate their own income. 10. Sensitize to strengthen and operationalize the womens policy in promoting womens rights. 11. Lobby for creating more conducive political atmosphere for the private sectors to be involved. 12. Lobby for formulation of policies and strategies related to handling HIV/AIDS related issues in work places. 13. Advocate for commitment of more resources to make work places safe against acquisition and spread of HIV infection 14. Advocate for protection of rights of PLWHA by policy and legal support. 15. Lobby for commitment of resources by the government and other donor communities to provide optimal care and support to PLWHA to keep them healthy, physically fit and productive. 16. Advocate for increased commitment of resources for provision of care and support for PLWHA. |
Audience |
Rural residing women, male brokers, law makers, policy makers, long distance travelers (including truck drivers and soldiers), CSWs, migrants, regional and federal health and labor/social affairs officials, Investors, officials of faith based institutions, youth (in and out of school), parents, Federal and Regional Health and Labor/Social Affairs Officers, The general public (urban and rural), high-risk groups, Orphans and street children, the press people, tourists (local, international), MOE officials, Regional Education Bureau officials, bankers, community and religious lobbyists, Trade Union Leaders, Officials of Chambers of Commerce, Factory and office Managers, PLWHA and heads of their organizations, leaders of NGOs, UN Agencies and donor communities, the general public, NACS/RACS officials |
Message content |
1. Building capacity of vulnerable women on how to protect them from being raped and abused. 2. Sensitization of women on potential job opportunities. 3. Teach methods of developing skills to negotiate condom use with their partners. 4. Lobby for formulation of relevant laws and regulations. 5. Create jobs for women particularly for those migrating from rural areas. 6. Mobile people should be encouraged to use condoms whenever having casual sex. 7. Mobile people should reduce their number of sexual partners as much as possible. 8. Influential members of the community should encourage stronger family responsibilities, especially those of mobile population. 9. NGOs and other agencies should create jobs for women who are otherwise involved in commercial sex along the various transportation corridors. 10. Young people (men and women) should protect themselves from acquisition of HIV and STDs. 11. Young girls should protect themselves from getting unwanted pregnancies. 12. Parents give more freedom to their young ones (especially their daughters) in using their income. 13. NGOs and other concerned agencies create job opportunities for CSWs and other young people. 14. All the public should obtain accurate and reliable information about HIV/AIDS. 15. All should protect themselves from infecting themselves or infecting others by following the ABC rule. 16. Health care should be provided to all the needy population. 17. The quality of health services including VCT should be optimally standard. 18. The health services should be attractive and user-friendly. 19. People should develop positive attitudes towards the STD care services provided and eventually use them whenever demanding. 20. Wealthy people should not sexually exploit young girls using their financial influence. 21. The number of sexual partners should be kept to the minimum. 22. Whenever casual sex occurs all should use condoms. 23. Make technical skills training opportunities available to all the youth. 24. Women should be able to negotiate for their rights with men. 25. Women should have the right over the resource they generate. 26. Women should have the right to decide on their sexual intentions. 27. Men should not subordinate women. 28. Private sector should be increasingly involved in various HIV/AIDS control and prevention activities. 29. Policy makers and political authorities should create a conducive atmosphere for investment in HIV/AIDS control. 30. Make work place safe against HIV transmission. 31. Optimal care and support be given for PLWHA at work places. 32. PLWHA should not be discriminated because of their sero-status at work. 33. Provide care and support to PLWHA. 34. Increase capacities of PLWHA to keep them healthy and productive. 35. PLWHA should get the necessary care and support they need. 36. It is everybodys responsibility in the communities to provide support to PLWHA. |
Channels |
Mass and Interpersonal - Examples are: (Radio, TV & print), rural mass gatherings, panel discussions, traditional and folk media like coffee ceremonies and others, meetings among trucking companies and military units, etc. intra-family communication, ,professional associations declarations, community and religious lobby group meetings, |
Desired Outcomes |
1. Women are protected from sexual abuse. 2. Legal measures are put in place to discourage those raping women looking for jobs. 3. The practice of women trafficking is legally condemned and halted. 4. Better job opportunities are created for migrating rural women. 5. Better job opportunities created for women to stop migrating. 6. High risk sexual behaviors of the mobile population modified. 7. Spread of HIV from urban to rural areas halted. 8. Families of mobile people protected from acquisition of HIV infection. 9. Young men and women are protected from acquiring STI and HIV infections. 10. Appropriate job opportunities created for young people. 11. Alternate and more productive job opportunities created for CSWs. 12. Men and women are empowered by opportunities for a more secure livelihood and do not engage in high-risk HIV/AIDS associated activities. 13. Health services are optimally accessible to the needy population. 14. Quality of STD management and care is optimally adequate. 15. VCT services are available and accessible to all demanding. 16. Overwhelming majority of the population have adequate knowledge and awareness about the essentials of HIV/AIDS. 17. Economically and educationally better-off develop more responsible sexual behavior towards their families and other members of the community 18. Access to skills training is provided to the needy population, especially the jobless youth on streets. 19. Those on streets start leading secure and healthy life styles. 20. Decision-making power of women increased thus making her less dependent financially on her male counterpart. 21. An increased income generation activity for married women. 22. Mechanism to enforce laws that protect womens rights instituted by the government. 23. The private sector plays important and prominent role in community and national development. 24. Private sector is convinced that it is in their best interest to implement prevention and care activities. 25. Government instituted tax incentives and other policies to support private sector involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention in the workplace and the community. 26. The spread of HIV infection is reduced at work places. 27. People affected by HIV/AIDS get optimal care and support in work places. 28. PLWHA are not discriminated in their work places. 29. PLWHA get the optimal psychological, medical and physical support and care to remain fit for work and lead relatively healthy life. 30. Discrimination and stigma against PLWHA is largely abolished at production centers 31. PLWHA obtain the optimal care they deserve to get. |
Indicators / Measurement of success |
1. Proportion of women reported raped over time. 2. Law related to rape in place. 3. Number of new jobs created for rural women. 4. Proportion of rural migrating women using condoms. 5. Condom use rate among travelers 6. Number of sexual partners of mobile people 7. Number of gatherings of truckers/soldiers where education about sexuality given 8. Condom use rate among young people 9. Number of sexual partners of young people 10. Number of new job opportunities created for young people. 11. Prevalence of STD in the general population and in risk groups in particular 12. Trend of STD care utilization 13. Trend of VCT service utilization 14. Proportion of the public having accurate and correct knowledge about STDs and HIV/AIDS 15. Prevalence of high risk behaviors among the economically better offs 16. Prevalence of STDs among the partners of the sugar-daddies 17. Number of existing and new skills training institutions established 18. Enrollment rate of jobless youth in skills training institutions. 19. Proportion of jobless youth getting skills training 20. Proportion of men having positive attitude towards womens sharing resources 21. Proportion of women able to make their own decisions over their resources 22. Proportion of women able to make their own decisions over their sexuality 23. The amount (volume) of private investment in HIV/AIDS control effort 24. Relevant policies, laws and legislations formulated. 25. Number of companies and organizations having work places related activities on HIV/AIDS prevention and control 26. Proportion of PLWHA not discriminated at work places 27. Number of sick leaves presented by PLWHA in work places. 28. Number of AIDS related deaths at work places. 29. Amount of resources (financial) lost due to AIDS related absenteeism and deaths. 30. Amount of resources put in place for care and support for PLWHA. 31. Number of PLWHA obtaining optimal care and support. |
Partners |
NGOs, UN agencies, Federal and Regional law makers, the judiciary, private investors, health service providers, bar owners, Womens Rights Groups, transport companies, health care delivery institutions, CBOs, Skills training organizations, policy makers, youth organizations, MOH, RHBs, NACS, RACS, PLWHA Associations, Local and international touring organizations, investment agencies, gender lobbyists, Investors, community organizations, Women Affairs Authorities and organizations, micro finance institutions, private industries, Chambers of Commerce, labor and trade unions, MOLSA, MOLSA |
Issues |
Culturally accepted male dominance in sexual relations A taboo that couples dont discuss on sexual issues. Lack of appropriate socialization of children on issues of sexuality Abduction is widely accepted culture Inadequate involvement of community leaders in HIV/AIDS communication programs Exposure of youth to different harmful cultural diffusions like substance use, group sex and homosexuality. Harmful traditional Practices: FGM, removal of tonsils, uvula and milk teeth, post-natal use of herbal smoke to dry the vaginal wall, inheritance of female widow by relative of husband.Need for identifying positive cultural traditions for expansion of care and support like orphan adoption and care and support for the sick. |
Implications for HIV/AIDS |
1. High vulnerability of females for HIV transmission due to unsafe sex 2. High probability of HIV-transmission from sero-discordant couples 3. High probability of HIV-transmission due to unsafe and early sexual practice 4. Communication program doesnt meet its objectives 5. Unsafe sexual practice by youth 6. High probability of HIV transmission due to HTP. 7. Use of positive cultural traditions significantly contributes for care and support related to HIV/AIDS. |
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Desired Outcome |
1. Involvement of females in decision related to sexual relationship 2. Positive attitude of males towards females involvement. 3. Increased couples communication on sexual matters 4. Increased parent-child communication on sexual matters 5. Responsible sexual behavior of teenagers 6. Delay on age of sexual initiation 7. Reduction on the rate of abduction 8. Involvement of community leaders in HIV/AIDS communication 9. Decrease the rate of premarital sex 10. Increase the rate of one-to -one sexual relationship 11. Decrease the rate substance use and homosexuality 12. Avoid harmful traditional practices. 13. Improved quality of care for orphans and PLWHAs |
BCC Objective |
1. To increase the knowledge of the importance of sexual communication. 2. To upgrade the skill of sexual negotiation of females. 3. To increase the knowledge of the importance of sexual communication. 4. To improve negotiation practice of safe sexual practice (Either HIV-testing or condom use) 5. To increase the awareness of parents on the importance of early communication of children on issues of sexuality. 6. To improve communication skill of parents to their children 7. To increase the awareness of parents on the danger of abduction. 8. To improve the skill of females on avoiding and escaping abduction 9. To increase the awareness of program planners on the importance of involving community leaders on HIV communication 10. To improve HIV-communication skill of community leaders 11. To increase the awareness of the youth on importance of delay of sexual initiation, having one-to-one sexual relationship and avoid premarital sex, substance use and homosexuality. 12. To change the attitude of youth and parents towards new cultural norms 13. To improve communication skill of youth to the desired outcome. 14. To increase the awareness of female, traditional practitioners and opinion leaders on the impact of harmful traditional practices 15. To improve the attitude and practice of the community on harmful traditional practices. 16. To improve the skill and practice of the community on community base care for PLWHAs and AIDS orphans. |
Advocacy Objective |
1. To increase the support of community, opinion and religious leaders. 2. To gain the support of policy makers and legislative body 3. To increase the support of parents, grandparents or elderly. 4. To gain the support of youth and women organizations. 5. To increase the support of implementing organizations 6. To gain the support of cultural community and religious organizations |
Audience (Primary) |
· Children above 7 years and Youth, men and women at reproductive age, parents, teachers, men and women traditional headers and practitioners and |
Audience (Secondary) |
· Men partners, parents, community leaders, religious leaders, elders, opinion leaders, concerned professionals, policy makers and Health workers |
Message |
1. Male dominance in sexual relations is not good culture 2. Sexual relationship is mutual interest of both sexes 3. Men and women should communicate openly in sexual relations 4. Sexual communication helps both male and females to avoid unsafe sexual practices that may predispose them for HIV. 5. Every person has the risk of being infected with HIV 6. Parents should communicate with their children on issues of sexuality and RH 7. Early communication children on issues related to sexuality helps them to delay sexual initiation or avoid sex until marriage or helps them to avoid unsafe sexual practices 8. Women have the right to choose sexual partner and the right to refuse sexual practice or advances. 9. Rape and abduction promote the spread of HIV 10. Traditional leaders are partners for HIV prevention should involve on teaching the new generation. 11. Community leaders are source of wisdom and good culture. 12. Avoiding bad cultures helps to avoid HIV/AIDS, STI and teenage pregnancy. 13. Substance use, premarital sex and multi-partnership are out of fashion. 14. Harmful Traditional Practices are not supported by any religion. 15. Harmful Traditional Practices facilitate the spread of AIDS. 16. Our culture supports care for orphans and sick 17. AIDS orphans and PLWHAs needs the care and support of the community |
Channel |
1. Mass media and interpersonal channels and fora like traditional & folk media, radio, TV, newspaper, magazines etc..) and Printed material will be used 2. Traditional media like coffee ceremony and Community organizations like Edir and Mahber. 3. Institutions like Schools, health facilities, church and mosque. 4. Peer communication and Individuals, couples or parents counseling 5. Seminars, workshops and discussion forums Associations or clubs (youth, women, professional |
Indicators / Measurement of success |
1. Proportion of females who know the advantages of sexual negotiation and decision-making skills in sexual relationship. 2. Proportion of males who develop positive attitude to the participation females on sexual negotiation. 3. Proportion of females practicing sexual negotiation. 4. Proportion men and women who know the advantages of sexual communication. 5. Proportion of males & females practicing sexual communication. 6. Proportion of males & females who practice VCT prior to sexual relationship. 7. Proportion of males & females who use condom 8. Proportion of reproductive age persons who are aware of the importance of early communication of children on issues of sexuality. 9. Proportion of parents, teachers, and other adults who communicant to children on sexuality 10. Proportion of teenage group practicing safer sexual behavior 11. Age of sexual initiation. 12. Attitude of teenage group towards premarital sexual relationship 13. Rate of abduction 14. Attitude of parents, legislators, policy makers towards rape and abduction 15. Number rapist who received proper prosecution. 16. Number of community leaders involved on communication programs. 17. Attitude of people towards involvement of community leaders on HIV/AIDS communication 18. Communication knowledge and skill of traditional leaders 19. Attitude of people towards premarital sex, one-to-one relations and delay of sexual initiation. 20. Proportion of premarital sex, multi-partner sexual relations, substance use and homosexuality 21. Age of sexual initiation and proportion of one-to one sexual relationship 22. Number of females who practice HTP 23. Attitude of people towards HTP 24. Number of New roles and regulation enacted regarding HTP 25. Number of male and females who practice care and support 26. Attitude of people towards care and support 27. Number of orphans and PLWHAs who received care and support |
Partners |
· MOH, Women affair offices (federal and regional), Ministry of Education and Education Bureaus, Ministry of Youth Culture and Sport, NGO working on female empowerment, on reproductive health (RH) programs, NGO working with community organization and youth organizations, NGO working on HTP, NGO working on care and support, health institutes, experts working on adolescent sexuality, professional associations, religious organization, traditional healers and association or clubs (youth, women, teachers etc..) , |
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