AEGiS-14IAC: Community initiatives in sexual and reproductive health and rights issues as a way for HIV/AIDS prevention: experience from Mwanza, Tanzania.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Community initiatives in sexual and reproductive health and rights issues as a way for HIV/AIDS prevention: experience from Mwanza, Tanzania.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. MoOrE1113)

Bugenyi J, Matasha E, Gavyole A, Swalehe Z, Kamanya V, Bwibo R
African Medical and Research Foundation - (AMREF), Mwanza, Tanzania

ISSUES: Some of the traditional practices in Tanzania put women in a greater risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. Such practices have brought up people with gender inequalities and relationships. Addressing such practices may reduce such risk.

DESCRIPTION: In April 2000, a KAP study was carried in four communities of the Lake Zone of Tanzania. The survey indicated some of the traditional practices that can put a woman into a risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. Based on the results an intervention strategy was designed whereby community capacities are built through sensitization on Sexual and reproductive health and human rights. Community own resource people trained to facilitate education sessions and provide counseling In their respective communities.

ISSUES: The use of Community Own Resource People for sensitization on reproductive health Issues and human rights resulted to a greater understanding and Increased participation of community and Increased members In HIV/AIDS prevention activities. RECOMMENDATION: In dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention, the social aspect of it should not be denied. This is due to the fact that some of the infections are a result of the existing gender inequalities and poor relationships in most of the communities. For sustainable interventions, the use of CORPs is paramount.

Keywords: AEGIS, Tanzania, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Human Rights, HIV Seropositivity, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Health Planning Guidelines, Human, FemaleKWDaegis,tanzania,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,humanrights,hivseropositivity,healthknowledge,attitudes,practice,healthplanningguidelines,human,female

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MoOrE1113

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.