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Advocacy and Awareness Campaign on HIV/AIDS Prevention

Country

Pakistan

Region

South Asia

Programme Summary

In July 2008, Pakistan's Northern Areas AIDS Control Consortium (NAACC) collaborated with Karakuram Cooperative Bank Limited (KCBL) in an effort to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it. Their activities were carried out at the Polo Festival of Shandur 2008, which NACCC describes as "the world highest polo ground (12,500 feet)...where thousands of national and international tourists and hundreds of different organizations participated..."

Communication Strategies

This initiative drew on what is characterised as a popular sporting event in order to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to motivate people to change their behaviour so as to halt its spread. NAACC organised promotional activities that involved various media, such as banners displayed at key points with slogans on HIV/AIDS prevention and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. In addition, NAACC was on hand at the festival to offer individual counselling sessions, and to make announcements highlighting the issue and calling upon the masses to take precautionary steps to stop HIV/AIDS.

At the end of the festival, NAACC volunteers cleaned up the camp to keep Shandur environmentally safe and clean as well.

Development Issues

HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

According to NAACC, the 2007 National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) report indicates that approximately 3,250 HIV/AIDS cases have been registered; however, estimates by various international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) put that number much higher, with nearly 90,000 HIV/AIDS cases potentially existing in Pakistan. NAACC explains that the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) (also known as Northern Areas) are particularly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS due to high-risk behaviours of vulnerable groups, as well as what NAACC describes as a "low rate of education, ignorance, poverty, denial, shortage of standard health facilities and bad practices of traditional healers".

Realising the importance of participation of grassroots level communities and civil society organisations in combating the challenge of AIDS and other infectious diseases, in 1999, NAACC was formed. It has grown to a network of 32 registered NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) from all six districts of FANA working in the health and social sector.

Partners

NAACC, KCBL.

Contact

Tashfeen Rafiq
Assistant Regional Manager
Northern Areas AIDS Control Consortium (NAACC)

Wahdat Colony
Near Cant Post Office
Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam

Jutial Gilgit Northern Areas
Pakistan
Tel: 92 5811 55980, 51689

Source

Email from Tashfeen Rafiq to The Communication Initiative on July 11 2008; and NAACC website.


Placed on the Communication Initiative site August 28 2008
Last Updated August 28 2008

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Culturally Effective Strategies

If culturally delicate HIV/AIDS factors such as male circumcision or fewer multiple concurrent partners are to be effectively addressed, which communication strategies are most required? [choose a maximum of 3]