Prevention of HIV/AIDS among Personnel in the Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (2001 - 2002, extended 2003)
In 2001, MCDI was awarded a contract by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to implement an HIV/AIDS prevention project to decrease the incidence of HIV/AIDS among Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Forces (USDF) personnel, their families, and communities. Specific objectives included 1) assessing risk behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes of armed services personnel about HIV/AIDS, 2) assisting the USDF in implementing new approaches for effective prevention strategies including public awareness and Behavior Change Communication initiatives, 3) strengthening the capacity of the USDF to support armed services personnel and their families who are affected by HIV/AIDS, and 4) developing the capacity of the USDF to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives.
As part of the BCC initiatives, MCDI created a short animated video that highlighted for military personnel the importance of utilizing condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
The MCDI/USDF intervention approach was multi-pronged and addressed the following DOD Leadership and Investment in Fighting an Epidemic (LIFE) program topics:
- Primary Prevention
- Capacity and Infrastructure Development
- Adaptation of "off the shelf" HIV intervention tools
- Emphasis on "train the trainer" approaches
Key project activities included: reviewing and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data from the government health services and a 2001 nationwide behavioral surveillance survey (BSS); working with the USDF to establish an appropriate HIV/AIDS plan and policy; developing appropriate tools that enable the USDF to collect efficient, comprehensive and accurate data on the effectiveness of the HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives; supporting the development of a uniform HIV/AIDS testing protocol; and are working with the USDF in the fields of counseling; information, education, and communication (IEC); and social mobilization. Additional funding permitted this project to be extended through 2003.
