This campaign relies on getting messages to youth regarding reproductive health education and HIV/AIDS prevention through the media. Because youth worldwide listen to radio programmes and watch television these are good places to target adolescents with health information.

Staying Alive informs young people about HIV, promotes safe lifestyle choices, provides information about local organisations, and mobilises youth to overcome the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS and to fight for an end to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The 2002 campaign included a televised panel discussion at the International AIDS Conference, major concerts, PSAs, a new Staying Alive documentary (premiering on World AIDS Day) and the launch of a new website - www.staying-alive.org. YouthNet is assessing the scope and effectiveness of mass media in reaching urban youth through the evaluation of this global media campaign.

YouthNet and Africa No. 1 Radio
YouthNet launched a collaborative HIV and pregnancy prevention and stigma reduction campaign for youth, in partnership with Africa No. 1, the only independent Francophone Africa radio network. The campaign consists primarily of public service announcements (PSAs) featuring popular African musicians and soccer stars. YouthNet also conducted a message development workshop for youth, which was held at Africa No. 1 headquarters. At the end of the workshop, participants recorded messages of their own. The PSAs are played every Saturday night during a popular musical variety programme for youth, with repeats every Wednesday night, through June 30, 2003.

Click here for the full article online.