Promoting Behaviour Change through Effective Community Mobilization and Participation for HIV/AIDS Control in Igbo-Ora.

ARFH in collaboration with the Oyo State Action Committee on AIDS (Oyo SACA) and with support from the World Bank adopted community mobilization for behavioural change to address HIV and AIDS control in Igbo-ora, Oyo state. The project targeted market men, women and youth peer educators. Strategies employed include community mobilization, BBCC/IEC materials development, peer education, capacity building, and mainstreaming VCT and STI management as well as referral to designated private health facilities. Post evaluation findings revealed a significant increase in HIV/AIDS awareness and evidence of positive behavioural change with respect to the practice of risky behaviour that could lead to HIV infection among the target population.