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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2003
Zambia Launches Free HIV Telephone Advice Line to Respond
to Growing Need for Accurate Information in Confidential Setting
Hopkins CCP Helps Implement New Hotline BALTIMORE — Faced with an HIV prevalence of 16%, Zambia desperately needed an HIV/AIDS telephone hotline. High levels of stigmatisation still perpetuate HIV as a "silent" epidemic in an environment where most Zambians have limited access to up-to-date and accurate HIV/AIDS information. Zambian health officials believe that an anonymous and confidential AIDS Hotline will provide people who are scared to be seen at a clinic or to confide in friends and family an opportunity to talk openly about HIV/AIDS.
In response to this need, a hotline was launched December 1st in Zambia to promote existing services, especially voluntary counselling and testing services, which although widely established are not used as much as they could be. People living with HIV can also benefit from the support, counselling, and legal advice that the AIDS Hotline offers. Some NGOs and government departments already receive numerous calls and letters from people throughout the country requesting HIV/AIDS information and counselling.
With support from the National AIDS Council of Zambia and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Management Programme (CHAMP) in partnership with the Zambia Integrated Health Programme (ZIHP) launched the HIV/AIDS telephone hotline. It is open to all, regardless of age or sex. Anyone can call if they need information about HIV/AIDS. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs (CCP) is implementing this program with USAID assistance through ZIHP and in partnership with CHAMP.
The objectives of the hotline include:
- Providing an opportunity to talk about HIV/AIDS in a completely anonymous and confidential manner
- Providing accurate and up-to-date information
- Supporting callers and counselling them when necessary
- Providing referral information for services such as voluntary counselling and testing for HIV and counseling services
When calling from a Zamtel land line, the call is free of charge. The number to dial is 990 and the line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Callers are not asked to give their names so each call is completely private and confidential.
CCP has also helped set up HIV/AIDS hotlines in Nigeria and South Africa and recently published a field guide for those wanting to set up their own hotline. With representatives in more than 30 countries, Johns Hopkins' CCP is a pioneer in the field of strategic, research-based communication programs for behavior change and health promotion that have helped transform the theory and practice of public health communication. For more information, visit www.jhuccp.org or contact Kim Martin at 410 659-6140.
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