The use of culturally themed HIV messages and their implications for future behaviour change communication campaigns: The case of Botswana

The ‘ABC' approach promoted at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana has failed to yield significant behaviour change. Formative research was conducted in urban, semi-urban and rural areas to explore how the use of sociocultural messages depicted in posters elicited people's response to HIV/AIDS-related behaviours.The research interrogated values and practices underpinning Tswana philosophy in relation to parentchild communication, voluntary counselling and testing, condom use and faithfulness. A total of 206 individuals aged 15 - 49 years were purposively interviewed.The results showed that this campaign was perceived as an activation of positive Batswana culture to modify harmful norms, values and social practices, drawing upon those cultural aspects favouring more positive behaviour.We conclude that behaviour change communication should promote links to cultural values and principles.This can be achieved by: communication in other languages in order to reach all groups in Botswana; providing opportunities for venturing into other ways of communicating HIV/AIDS messages to Batswana in light of literacy skills; and using communication media that is developed on the basis of cultural approaches and focuses on segmented population groups. Keywords: culture, culturally themed messages, values, practices, risk-related behaviours Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Vol. 3 (2) August 2006: 466-47

Perceptions and Use of Contraception among Married Males in Mchinji, Malawi: A Qualitative Study

This paper investigates perceptions and contraceptive use among married males in Mchinji, Malawi. Qualitative data were collected from fifteen in-depth interviews carried out with married males in Mchinji. The findings reveal that men in Mchinji are involved in family planning. The men are fairly knowledgeable about a variety of contraceptives and have definite opinions on contraceptive choice and use. While a third of the respondents preferred traditional birth control methods, two-thirds favoured modern methods. Misconceptions about birth control methods were not uncommon. The findings further indicate that factors associated with contraceptive use and non-use were many and varied. Factors associated with selection of the family planning method included the level of awareness, past experience with the method(s), availability, reliability and the partner’s choice. The study findings highlight the importance of improved reproductive health education, and access to reproductive health services for married couples. Furthermore, research is needed to better understand married male involvement and their support of family planning both within marriage and in non-marriage relationships

Household survey of behavioural risks and HIV sero-status in two districts in Botswana: a baseline study

This report presents the findings of the Behavioural Risks and HIV Sero-Status Survey (BSS) for the Central Serowe Sub-district and Kweneng District in Botswana. The purpose of the survey was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, sexual behaviours, practices, prevention, care and support issues concerning HIV/AIDS among the population in the Central Serowe Sub-district and Kweneng District. Specifically, the survey quantified HIV prevalence, sexual risk behaviours and other practices among adults and children. In 2002, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) was commissioned by the WK Kellogg Foundation to develop and implement a five-year intervention project focusing on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in southern Africa. In collaboration with several partner organisations, the project currently focuses on how children, families and communities in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe are coping with the impact of HIV/AIDS. The aim of the project is to develop models of best practice so as to enhance and improve support structures for OVC in the southern African region as a whole.