title: Peer led HIV/AIDS prevention for women in South African informal settlements.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Middle Tennessee State University, Murfeesboro, Tennessee 37132, USA. pohara@mtsu.edu
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Hara Murdock
authors.forename: Hari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garbharran
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lutchmiah
authors.forename: Makhosi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mkhize
mesh_terms: 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*