Relationships: Intimacy Without Risk

2010 Producer/Author: C-Change, FHI 360, AED

Summary

C-Change has developed a program titled Relationship: Intimacy Without Risk, which includes a facilitator's guide, training manual, and materials to train local Sesotho facilitators to carry out discussion sessions that aim to stimulate deeper dialogue and discussion around relationship issues, such as concurrency and the risks of HIV. C-Change has introduced additional tools to this program including videos for group discussion, and movie nights and games for couples. The first of its kind in Lesotho, the Relationships: Intimacy Without Risk Community Dialogue program provides for a series of conversations among groups of adults that relate to HIV/AIDS prevention. During the conversations, participants reflect on how they can improve their relationships and sexual lives without taking on extra lovers.

Research & Testing

C-Change partner Social Surveys designed and carried out qualitative research that provided a clear picture of the 'silent' language of sexuality and MCP. The research on the findings enhanced the understanding of the cultural context within which sexuality and MCP occur in Lesotho and helped inform the interventions that C-Change is currently carrying out in Lesotho. C-Change also conducted research in Lesotho on the complex behavior patterns of MCP, beginning with a baseline study among Basotho men to measure the levels of concurrency and attitudes leading to concurrency. Information from the study and detailed in the research provided critical guidance as the country expands efforts to address the MCP issue and prevent HIV What emerged from the research was that most of the drivers of MCP in the region were similar, therefore a regional campaign was initiated to communicate the same messages about MCP across all borders in the region. This campaign was branded using the regionally pre-tested name: OneLove. The primary objective of pre-testing the billboards and Public Service Announcements (PSAs) was to get target audience perception and interpretation of the pictures and words.

Monitoring & Evaluation

This executive summary of the qualitative evaluation of C-Change’s community dialogue intervention in five districts of Lesotho gathered and analyzed the perspectives of participants. It aimed to assess whether the community dialogues had been effective in improving communication on topics such as concurrency, and cross‐generational and transactional sex and whether there had been a positive effect—or potential effect—in reducing these HIV risk behaviors. The evaluation also gathered suggestions from participants on how future community dialogue interventions could be improved. A secondary research objective was to explore the role of concurrency in contributing to the spread of HIV and to identify other issues seen as problematic in communities.

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