Aids Prevention Campaign: Involving Family Planning Workers

Project Date: 1988-1989

• Overview
• Lessons Learned

Overview

The purpose of this project was to assist the Directorate of the National Program for AIDS Prevention and Control of the Peruvian Ministry of Health in an AIDS prevention campaign. Specifically, the campaign sought to inform adults (18-35) in Lima of the following:

1. Prevalence of AIDS in Peru


2. HIV transmission routes


3. Prevention measures.

This campaign marked the first time that condoms were shown on television in Peru. In all 3 television spots, 2 radio spots, 3 slide stills for cinemas, 2 comic books, and pamphlets and fold-out posters for health workers were produced. The campaign included the following unique elements:

• "Claymation" (animated clay dolls) used to develop the TV spots

• Seminars for leaders, health professionals and journalists

• A media information center

• Training of family planning distributors and clinic workers to promote AIDS education and condom use

The campaign was jointly supported by JHU/PCS and the Population Council, and took place between January 1988 and November 1989.

Lessons Learned

Mass media can play an important role in the battle against AIDS. This project demonstrated that viewers exposed to the campaign reported statistically significant increases in knowledge of transmission routes as well as in condom use.

Moreover, of those exposed to the campaign, there was a 26% reduction in misconceptions of how the AIDS virus is transmitted. This is critical in encouraging individuals to take precautions at the personal level. Equally important, it helps to focus societal attention on the real issues surrounding AIDS, and to dispel the myths and fears that serve only to encourage prejudice and denial.