In the second of a series of project documentation, JOICFP carried out still and video filming of the UNFPA-supported Africa Regional Project (RAF5R303) "Community Participatory BCC and Advocacy in the Fight against HIV/AIDS with ATOMM Concept" (2006-2007).

Activities were carried out in Ghana and Zambia in April and May 2007, documenting highlights such as goal motif, comparative advantages, strategies, major activities and achievements, and interviews with beneficiaries.

Taking still shots for 'goal motif' in Ghana,
in which a young woman supports
to a young man who decided to take
voluntary counseling and testing (VCT).

Based on the developed BCC and advocacy strategies with specific messages for target audiences, community radio programs have been developed as a mass communication approach while the picture drama and discussions as an interpersonal communication approach have been undertaken at the community level.

In five communities in Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira (THLD) District in Central Region in Ghana, 33 scenes were documented to show how community participatory behavior change communication (BCC) and advocacy interventions have contributed to reducing stigma toward PLWHA, thereby increasing VCT.

One of the comparative advantages of the project is the use of local radio. Weekly programs are broadcast to the region on featured topics related to HIV/AIDS, and listeners can call the radio station to ask questions that are then answered on air.

Community level loudspeaker broadcasting programs follow the same format, but local people visit the station to engage in questions and answers, and then can take home BCC material to share with family members.

District Health Management Teams,
PPAG and PLWHA all take part
in the shows at the community radio

Another advantage of the project is the picture drama, especially in fighting stigma.

In the Zambia project area, the radio health education takes the form of an eight-part soap opera.

The radio covers only the urban part of Solwezi District in North Western Province, so the programs are recorded and tapes sent to outlying areas for public performance.

Programs can be played at any suitable time, and are followed by discussions generated from the programs, led by a peer educator.

Filming of a listeners' groups in Zambia

Support groups in Zambia comprise PLWHA who have declared their status, and since the project began, the number of groups has more than doubled.

A peer educator delivers a message against
stigma with the picture drama, accompanied
by a PLWHA support group member
in Kandemba Community, Zambia

VCT uptake has dramatically risen in the project sites in both Ghana and Zambia, supporting the value of the approach taken to reduce stigma.

The outcome of the documentation will be published later this year and shared in the region.