Partnering with African Universities to Advance Strategic Communication on HIV and AIDS

APRIL 2009 — In Southern Sudan, HIV and AIDS education has lagged and HIV-related stigma has remained high, in large part due to a two-decade long civil war that displaced more than 4 million people and destroyed infrastructure, including schools and health facilities.

"Stigma is a problem in the cities and communities," says Jackline Mumi, an FHI/ROADS staff member based in Juba. "People say if you have HIV you're not a good person."

Mumi recently benefited from her participation in a course for health professionals on reducing HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination offered February 23 to 27 by the University of Nairobi School of Journalism, in partnership with the African Network for Strategic Communication in Health and Development (AfriComNet). USAID- and UNESCO-sponsored participants were led through practical sessions and exercises that can be adapted to specific contexts.

Mumi plans to apply her new skills in Juba and other ROADS sites in Southern Sudan. "It's possible to stigmatize people living with HIV and AIDS without even knowing it," Mumi says. "I'll share what I've learned with all our peer educators and partners."

The course is one of six developed by AfriComNet, ROADS partner Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Programs, and a network of seven African universities and training institutions. Strengthening AfriComNet is a key activity of the ROADS Project, managed by FHI.

Concurrently, the Makerere University Department of Mass Communication, School of Public Health, and Mildmay Training Centre offered a course in Kampala on the basics of HIV and AIDS strategic communication. One participant, Communications Officer Esmeralda Xavier of the National AIDS Council of Mozambique, testified, "I'm now better able to support government partners in developing and improving their strategies."

AfriComNet and the university network are in discussions on offering credit for these short courses, which have been well received.

Stellenbosch University in South Africa is the site for the next AfriComNet course from July 6 to 17, 2009, on applied skills in HIV communication and counseling. For more information, send an email to lsch@sun.ac.za or infodesk@africomnet.org.

PHOTO: Wambue Kiai (right), Director of the University of Nairobi School of Journalism, presents a certificate to Jackline Mumi for completing a course on stigma and discrimination. (ROADS)