Wegen AIDS Talkline
Overview
Wegen AIDS Talkline is a toll-free hotline that provides information, telephone counseling and a referral service on HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB and related topics. Established in 2004, it serves people from all over Ethiopia who access the service by dialing 952. The Talkline offers confidential telephone counseling in14 local languages including Amharic, Afaregna, Aderegna, Oromiffa, Somalegna, Siltigna, Guragegna, Wolayitegna, Kembategna, Hadyigna, Sidamigna, Tigregna, Awigna, Dawrogna, as well as English. The counselors provide callers with scientifically accurate information and counseling about HIV/AIDS-related issues including HCT, PMTCT, ART, opportunistic infections, care and support, sexually transmitted infections, and Tuberculoses (TB). The Talkline also links callers to health services and resources available to them locally. The center has a state-of-the-art calling system that records key data for further analysis and quality assurance.
Audience
Wegen AIDS Talkline serves any person in Ethiopia who would like to get up-to-date information and telephone counseling on HIV/AIDS related topics, Sexually transmitted Infection (STI) and Tuberculoses (TB).
Objectives
Wegen AIDS was started with the objective of encouraging Ethiopians to know their HIV status and use appropriate prevention methods. The hotline also aims to reduce stigma and discrimination facing PLWHA by correcting misconceptions about HIV/AIDS transmission. Health messages promote ART adherence among PLWHA and uptake of PMTCT. Callers can also get psychological support from counsellors in dealing with personal and family crisis.
To use the Wegen AIDS Talkline
Dial 952 toll-free from any cell phone, landline or public phone. Currently the Talkline operates Monday through Saturday from 8 :00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Callers’ Feedback
“Thanks to Wegen AIDS I am able to build a better relationship with my doctor. I know how to take my ART medication and I am now back to my normal health status.” –caller from Metema
“Wegen AIDS Talkline is a pioneer service in Ethiopia and its services are life-saving.” – caller from unknown region
“Your counselors have helped me get over my fear of getting tested. You have changed my life and today I want to say thank you very much.” – caller from Shashemene
“Me and my spouse are very happy with your program. You gave us hope though your advice for people like us who had no hope. Now we are out from the forest and living with the community without any problem by maintaining our health condition”. -- caller from Arsi
“I learned that your work is life-saving. I called now to appreciate you, keep it up. Now I am free from insecurity because of your counseling service, I got the courage to test for HIV and my result negative” -- a 19 years old female caller from Addis Ababa
Services
- Provide Talkline callers up-to-date and accurate information on HIV/AIDS including VCT, PMTCT, ART, opportunistic infections, care & support; sexually transmitted infections, and Tuberculoses (TB).
- Offer high quality telephone counseling service to callers
- Refer callers to appropriate services across the country
- Track and disseminate data from hotline callers
Materials and Resources
 Wegen AIDS Talklilne Quartely Newsletter - December, 2010 (4.43 MB) 
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Wegen AIDS Talklilne Quartely Newsletter - August, 2009 (690.95 KB)
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Wegen AIDS Talklilne Profile (44.73 KB)
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Bridging the Information Gap in Ethiopia with HIV/AIDS Talkline (1.88 MB)
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Future plans
- Add counselors who speak other local languages
- Include selected SRH topics as part of the service component
- Conduct service usability study of the Talkline
- Continue offering quality service to callers
- Expand the service to be available seven days a week and 24 hours a day
- Promote service to targeted populations to increase female as well as regional callers
The Wegen AIDS Talkline is managed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs/AIDS Resource Center (CCP/ARC). It is funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ethiopia's HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), and in partnership with the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC).
Contact
Tesfaye Yirdaw
Wegen AIDS Talkline Coordinator
AIDS Resource Center
Telephone: 251-115 503584 (Ext.1124)
Fax: 251-115 503749
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: etharc.org
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