The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5165.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 2:50 PM

Abstract #58065

HIV/AIDS health promotion and health literacy in Africa

Konji Sebati, MD, Medical Director, International Philanthropy Program, Pfizer Foundation, 235 East 42nd Street, 235/7/22, New York, NY 10017, 212-733-0954, konji.sebati@pfizer.com

Implementation and impact of international HIV/AIDS funding initiatives will be shaped by local context and capacity. In Africa and elsewhere, aspects of individual and community capacity include awareness about HIV/AIDS and its challenges, ability to communicate about these challenges, and ability to use health information in decision-making, problem solving, and actions in response to HIV/AIDS.

At this panel session, participants will hear about current community-level HIV/AIDS interventions in six African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Presenters will describe trainings for home-based care providers, work among traditional healers, capacity building for community HIV/AIDS networks, and education through schools and church programs.

Participants will learn about the range of measurable outcomes sought by community-based organizations as they approach the challenges of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment. Participants will discuss comparative differences in community-based approaches to health and HIV/AIDS in Africa. Participants can also expect to discuss common principles of global HIV/AIDS health promotion and health literacy. As a result of this session, participants will have gained new understanding of current challenges and opportunities in HIV/AIDS-related health promotion in Africa.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Health Literacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee of Pfizer, Inc.; proposed panel includes projects which have received grants from Pfizer Foundation under an International HIV/AIDS Health Literacy Initiative.

Uptake of HIV Services

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA