HIV/AIDs BEHAVIOR CHANGE COMMUNICATION (BCC)

BCC Is an interactive process with communities (integrated with an overall program) to develop tailored messages and approaches using non-lecture methods such as theater, sports, and visual arts to educate the illiterate and semi-illiterate populations to develop positive behaviors; promote and sustain individual, community and societal behavior change; and maintain appropriate behaviors.

The program is implemented in collaboration with women groups, youth group, community based organizations and Self-Help Groups The program have three distinct areas of intervention:

SENSITIZATION OF PLWHA AND THEIR FAMILIES ON ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART)

Over the last several years, the HIV landscape in Kenya has been transformed by the rapid expansion of access to life preserving antiretroviral therapy. The scaling up of treatment programs throughout Kenya has reduced HIV-related morbidity and mortality, prevented vulnerable households from falling deeper into poverty, rejuvenated entire communities, helped alleviate the stigma long associated with HIV infection, supported national efforts to improve maternal and child health, and contributed to gains in Kenya´s fight against tuberculosis. For HIV treatment to succeed, patients must take their medicines as prescribed. Missing doses or taking «drug holidays» permits the virus to rebound and to develop resistance to prescribed drugs. AGO has therefore taken the treatment literacy approach as one of the ways to improve treatment adherence. We conducted ART community meetings reaching out to PLHIVs and their family members. These have been critical in reducing vertical transmission and stigma and discrimination within the communities that we work in.