AEGiS-07IAC: On target: a comprehensive AIDS prevention program for the Ghana armed forces.

7th International AIDS Conference


Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

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On target: a comprehensive AIDS prevention program for the Ghana armed forces.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:447 (abstract no. W.D.4239)
Apeagyei F, Mugrditchian D, Romocki L, Mamah I, Ardy-Kotei M, Osei M, Weir S; Ghana Armed Forces, Accra, Ghana

OBJECTIVE: To reach men with effective sexual health programming for AIDS prevention.

METHODS: The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has designed and implemented a comprehensive AIDS/STD prevention program for all its soldiers to reduce the spread of AIDS and other STDS. A KAP survey of 800 soldiers and focus group discussions at various garrisons were used to design the multi-faceted program incorporating the following components: (1) Targeted educational intervention with condom promotion and distribution, (2) Strengthening of STD clinic services, and (3) HIV/STD surveillance. Educational strategies include the use of institutionalized networks to disseminate AIDS information, use of existing STD and FP services to provide education and counseling, development of military-specific materials, articles in military publications, and production of an educational video. Training for all health officers has been implemented.

RESULTS: The program will demonstrate that comprehensive education programs are important factors in AIDS prevention projects and contribute to behavior change. The overall project will be presented, along with data from the KAP and focus group surveys, lessons learned and recommendations for the implementation of similar projects.

CONCLUSION: If AIDS prevention is to be truly successful, programming targeted toward men should play an integral role.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Condoms, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, HIV Seroprevalence, Military Personnel, Ghana, Human, Male, ICA7KWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,sexuallytransmitteddiseases,condoms,knowledge,attitudes,practice,hivseroprevalence,militarypersonnel,ghana,human,male,ica7
910616
WD4239

Copyright © 1991 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.