Peer led HIV/AIDS prevention for women in South African informal settlements.
South African women who live in informal settlement communities are at high risk of HIV/AIDS infection due to their poor economic and social status. Prevention programs must include methods for improving their social conditions as well as their sexual risk behaviors. Members of Partners trained 24 women from informal settlements to lead HIV/AIDS education workshops for 480 residents. When these participants reached out to their neighbors, this participatory community-based approach resulted in providing HIV/AIDS prevention messages to more than 1,440 residents. Program leaders from three settlements said in focus group discussions that results from this social influences peer led approach demonstrated that women residents are a valuable resource in providing effective HIV/AIDS prevention programs to South Africa's most vulnerable residents.
O'Hara Murdock
Peggy
P
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfeesboro, Tennessee 37132, USA. pohara@mtsu.edu
Garbharran
Hari
H
Edwards
Mary Jo
MJ
Smith
Maria A
MA
Lutchmiah
Johnny
J
Mkhize
Makhosi
M
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010379:Peer Group; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013019:South Africa; D014838:Volunteers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D014930:Women / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*