Behavioral Change

Loko Kwo Pe Yot

Issue: Behavioral Change is deeply concerned with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the community. We have found that, in addition to root causes such as lack of awareness and prevention education that contribute to transmission rates, some members of our community may delay or ignore getting tested for HIV because they fear the stigma that those living with a diagnosis suffer under. Some people fear that even being seen getting tested will result in marginalization. We have also found that there is a correlation between HIV transmission and alcoholism.

Mission: To eliminate HIV/AIDS in our community

Solution: We provide community education through public discussions and theatre performances to change current attitudes and behaviors and encourage testing. We help ensure that condoms are widely availible and that everyone knows how to use them properly. Having identified other community stakeholders, we have made strategic partnerships with local religious and political leaders, medical staff, teachers, and NGOs to help facilitate conversions about HIV/AIDS prevention, safer sex, as well as reduce stigma and violence. We are also working with local police to change protocol of how violence against those living with HIV is handled.

12-Month Goals:

• Reduce the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS from an average of 500 to 250
• Increase regular condom usage among youth from 20 to 500
• Reduce stigma against those living with HIV/AIDS by 75%
• Reduce alcoholism in their community from 850 to 400 men