Research Findings (stf): Local Language Radio Shows Increase Uptake Of Vct And Pmtct

Local Language Radio Shows Increase Uptake Of VCT and PMTCT Straight Talks’ Experience in Kapchorwa Kato Isaac, Straight Talk Foundation Background Located in the northeastern part of Uganda, Kapchorwa has a population of about 193,000 people and it is still very under developed in terms of health unit coverage. The ABY program (Abstinence Being Faithful for Youth) was started in October 2005 by Straight Talk Foundation to increase the proportion of married youth who have access to HIV/AIDS prevention services particularly VCT and PMTCT in the Busoga and Sabiny regions.

“They tell us that they heard on the radio that we are offering services of VCT, and when I ask them why have you come they simply say that they want to know their status.” quoted from care taker

Hypothesis Youth are willing to utilise services but do not have information about them. If they are sensitised and informed, the number seeking the services will increase with time. Objective To find out whether the Kubsabiny ABY radio program has led to an increase in the number of VCT seekers. Methodology After a year of broadcasting the radio programs a retrospective study was conducted in 2006. It took on this design since the study-involved review of records from the previous year from three health facilities. Findings All the VCT records reviewed showed an increase in number of VCT clients from 777 between November 2004 and August 2005 to 915 between September 2005 and August 2006, a year on year increase of 15%.

PMTCT records showed that clients increased from 520 between November 2004 and August 2005 to 1542 between September 2005 and August 2006. “ The (radio show) helped to remove the fear of testing. You knowpeople naturally used to fear testing for HIV.” in charge of PMTCT Kapchorwa hospital Lesson learnt The ABY radio show in the local language, Kupsabiny, clearly contributed to an increase in the number of VCT and PMTCT seekers in Kapchorwa district by increasing awareness about where to get the services and their importance. The radio shows also played a role in decreasing one obstacle to testing for some people: fear. However, the increase in uptake creates its own problem: inadequate test kits to meet the increased demand.

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