Uganda: HIV/AIDS Prevention: Behavior Change Communication Campaign Associated With Higher Condom Knowledge

In the current study, the authors examined the influences of behavior change communication (BCC) campaigns on knowledge and use of condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS and other STDs in Uganda.

"Data were drawn from the 1997 and 1999 Delivery of Improved Services for Health (DISH) evaluation surveys, which collected information from representative samples of women and men of reproductive age in the districts served by the DISH project," wrote R. Bessinger and colleagues. Using logistical regressions and controlling for individuals’ background characteristics, the authors assessed associations between BCC exposure and condom knowledge and use.

According to the results, BCC exposure was strongly associated with higher condom knowledge. Men and women who reported BCC exposure were at least twice as likely as those with no exposure to know that condoms can be used to prevent HIV/AIDS, the researchers reported. "A dose-response effect was observed, suggesting that campaigns using multiple media channels may be most effective in improving sexual health knowledge," the authors wrote. "At the same time, certain gender differences of the influences on condom use were found, with channels and content of messages seeming more important in terms of instilling safer sex practices."

"While there was some evidence of bias of self-report, exploratory analysis of the indirect effects of communications campaigns suggested that impacts may be compounded as overall awareness is increased at the community level eventually leading to behavior change among individuals," the researchers concluded.

The study, "Multi-Media Campaign Exposure Effects on Knowledge and Use of Condoms for STI and HIV/AIDS Prevention in Uganda," was published in Evaluation and Program Planning (2004;27(4):397-407).

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