Condom Promotion and awareness campaign, I featured on local TV
https://youtu.be/mF0qjwVUMpU?si=gLAkmPvUfaOhVGp-
What is the program? Condom promotion encourages the use of condoms through education, counseling, and advertising. Condom distribution makes condoms readily available to individuals either for free especially those who need them most, the key populations (Commercial sex workers, young people, MSM, Men in Uniform, etc). Condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are highly effective in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A large body of scientific evidence shows that male latex condoms have an 80% or more significant protective effect against the sexual transmission of HIV and other STIs. Georgewilliam Kalibbala, Martha Atai Mbabazi, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Uganda cares.
Background: Condoms play a key role in combating HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and unwanted pregnancies. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlights the costs of condoms, limited availability, access, negative attitude, and logistical impediments that collectively limit the effectiveness of condom programming. Innovative ways to enhance access and promote condom use among individuals at high risk of HIV and STIs must be strengthened. Condom programming targets individuals, sub-population groups, and communities aiming to address; knowledge gaps, negative attitudes, poor skills, and risky behaviors. A combination of individual, group, community level, and structural interventions demonstrates higher success in promoting correct and consistent condom use. In this program evaluation, we have drawn key lessons from a metropolitan condom distribution program in Kampala, Uganda supported by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
Description: Since 2017, AHF has managed 75 carefully mapped Condom Distribution Points (CDPs) located in hot spots where key populations and other individuals at higher risk usually congregate. These include 3 Landing Sites along the shores of Lake Victoria, 10 brothels, 6 Boda-Boda Stages, 22 Public offices (Government ministries and departments), 6 Student Hostels, 3 Guest houses, 3 hotels, 12-night clubs, 14 Police Stations, and 3 Military Barracks. Each CDP has a condom dispenser installed or a focal person identified. Competent marketers routinely conducted education sessions, replenished condoms, and maintained the dispensers. Participatory action-oriented research was conducted with communities in the CDP catchments.
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- Boda Boda riders engaging in community mobilization for the international condom day
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- International Condom Awareness and campaign
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- Demonstrating to a group of young men with the safe practices of condom use
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- Demonstrating to a group of young men with the safe practices of condom use
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- Demonstrating to a group of young men with the safe practices of condom use
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- HIV testing and Counselling community mobilization on a megaphone
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- Demonstrating to a group of young men with the safe practices of condom use
Lessons: 12,600,000 male and 2,863,200 female condoms were distributed, and strong alliances with key and priority populations and local leaders have been established. A significant increase in demand for condoms was observed because, whenever there is a delay in replenishment, beneficiaries proactively make follow-up calls and they incur personal costs to pick up condoms from the AHF Uganda Secretariat. Effective condom programming requires strong collaboration with community leaders and meaningful engagement of populations at higher risk. Conclusions: Using community-based CDPs is a sustainable strategy to enhance access and ensure the availability of key HIV prevention commodities to key and priority populations. It also facilitates knowledge and skills transfer to other community members.
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