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After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
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Camion PSAMAO - Mali

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In Mali, Population Services International (PSI) decorated a 20-ton truck (camion) called Prevention du SIDA sur les Axes Migratoires de l'Afrique de L'Ouest(PSAMAO) with signs, logos, and slogans from PSI's Roulez Protégé and 100% Jeune campaigns. The purpose of the initiative was to raise awareness levels on the part of people along the migratory axis of Mali about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI). The initiative forms part of the Mali Ministry of Health's efforts to reduce the HIV/AIDS infection rate in this community by addressing bus and truck drivers, their apprentices, roadside vendors, commercial sex workers, and youth aged 15-24.
Communication Strategies

The truck served as a mobile centre to conduct STI/HIV/AIDS awareness activities. This multimedia information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign used different methods of communication. Organisers say the mobile approach allowed the project to reach a maximum number of people in communities along its pathway.

An experienced team equipped with communication techniques and methods carried out the information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign using key chains, T-shirts, posters, stickers, and brochures. At each site a day of communication was held that was designed to disseminate STI/HIV/AIDS awareness messages. Activities involved:

  • informing people about the risk factors for STI/HIV/AIDS;
  • reinforcing knowledge of STI/HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention;
  • demonstrating the proper use of condoms;
  • correcting any false rumours or myths about condoms;
  • distributing brochures addressing the population being reached;
  • promoting female and male condom use; and
  • encouraging use of the voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) centres Centres l'Eveil in Bamako, Ségou, and Kayes.
Development Issues

Family Planning, HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

Organisers say that "a total of 16,000 people were reached at 23 sites with key messages from the Camion PSAMAO."

Sources

PSI site.