Document 2272
 DOCN  M94A2272
 TI    Sharing evaluation findings with the community.
 DT    9412
 AU    Kabanda M; Musungu M; Marum E; Mutambi A; Coglan A; AIDS Support
       Organization, Kampala, Uganda.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):341 (abstract no. PC0303). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370303
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of sharing evaluation and research
       findings with participants in a community based prevention program.
       METHODS: TASO, The AIDS Support Organization founded in Uganda in 1987,
       provides counseling and medical care to PWAs; since 1990, TASO has
       expanded home care and prevention efforts to local communities,
       utilizing trained volunteers. A case study is presented of one semirural
       community, Biharwe, located astride the trans-African highway. Baseline
       interviews were conducted with 124 persons prior to project
       implementation; after baseline, community volunteers were trained to
       educate their neighbors regarding HIV prevention. Nine months later,
       follow-up interviews were conducted with 139 community members. RESULTS:
       Comparisons between baseline and follow-up showed that knowledge of HIV
       prevention measures remained low. At follow-up, only 19% of community
       members volunteered condom use as a preventive measure. Evaluation
       findings were shared with the community in February, 1993. Prior to
       this, an average of eight volunteers reported a mean of 10 educational
       encounters with community members monthly. After the findings were
       shared, an average of 10 volunteers reported a mean of 119 encounters
       monthly. Data are being collected to see if these changes will be
       associated with increases in knowledge of prevention measures.
       CONCLUSIONS: Research and evaluation data are frequently collected at
       the community level but rarely shared after analysis with community
       members. Community based volunteers can respond positively to sharing of
       research findings, and can significantly increase their level of
       activity when they learn that intensified prevention efforts are needed.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Condoms  *Developing Countries  Evaluation Studies
       Female  Follow-Up Studies  *Health Education  Human  Knowledge,
       Attitudes, Practice  Male  *Rural Population  Uganda/EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Voluntary Workers/*EDUCATION  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).