Community Mobilisation Model for Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

A rapid appraisal was first done to assess the knowledge of participating communities with regard to PMTCT and ART. The knowledge was found to be low. A curriculum was then designed to address various issues related to PMTCT and ART. The topics in this curriculum included voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), infant feeding, PMTCT, and ART.

Twenty-five trainers were selected from Christian and Muslim faiths depending on their competence and availability to train the community educators. The main objective of the education was to increase awareness and promote demand for ART services. A total of 750 community educators were trained together. These community educators included Muslim and Christian religious leaders and their assistants. These educators then began educating their communities about PMTCT and ART issues through sermons, group talks, and home visits.

The educators record their activities on monitoring forms, which they return to the project organisers during monthly meetings. According to these records, they have so far educated over 100,000 men and 150,000 women. Educators report that their communities are demanding services including PMTCT and ART to be brought nearer to them at more affordable costs. They also report that their communities are now looking out for opportunities to obtain low-cost or free antiretroviral drugs. They believe that increased availability of antiretroviral drugs will be an incentive for use of other services including VCT and PMTCT. They say that the project has contributed to increased openness and reduced stigma around HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS.

"In Uganda it is estimated that about 1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. Of these, about 100,000 have symptoms of AIDS and are in need of antiretroviral therapy. This number is expected to increase every year. It is estimated that only about 10% of those who need the drugs are actually using them and most of these people are living in urban areas. They meet most of the treatment costs privately."

Organisers believe that FBOs have great potential to deliver ARV-related services through their health facilities and religious establishments.