MOD Public Health Foundation-Uganda Launching the “My Safety, My Health! Health is My Choice!” Strategy of a VMMC Campaign in Kimaanya-Kabonera, Masaka City

MOD Public Health Foundation-Uganda Launching the “My Safety, My Health! Health is My Choice!”  Strategy of a VMMC Campaign in Kimaanya-Kabonera, Masaka City

 Theme: Focused Demand Creation for Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC) Services Among Males and Young Men Aged 15 Years and Above in Kimanya-Kabonera Sub-County of Greater Masaka Region

Venues: Gaz Boda-Boda Stage, Kobil Stage, Yellow Knife Stage

Date: 05th May 2023

The key Objectives:

1.    Strategic Involvement of Boda-Boda riders in influencing peers to participate in health Seeking practices that reduce risks/vulnerability to HIV infection.

2.    Strengthening the catalytic role of Boda-Boda Rider to promote behaviour change fostering staying negative attitudes.

The Participants or stakeholder makeup: 

Boda-Boda riders, Boda-Boda Chairpersons, Carpenters, Taxi touts, Road Construction workers, Motorcycle Mechanics, L.C 1 Chairperson, MOD Public Health, Food vendors, Imam and other people from the general community.

Key activity:

1.    Appreciating the Community members for welcoming us.

2.    Highlight the reason for the event.

3.    Launch the “My Safety, My Health! Health is My Choice!” Strategy and informed the community that the funding was provided by PEPFAR Uganda.

4.    MOD Public Health Foundation members provided information that empowered the community to be each other’s peer.

5.    Use the peer-to-peer networks to perform roles as HIV prevention influencers and Champions.

6.    Refer eligible males who are aged 15 years and above to MOD Public Health Foundation for Circumcision Health Education in preparation for VMMC.

7.    Displayed IEC materials on strengthening one in Influencer and Champion roles at all Boda-Boda

Achievements:

1.    During the launch, we engaged over 95 boda-Boda riders on five (5) Boda Stages in Kimaanya-Kabonera Sub-County namely; Gaz Boda-Boda Stage, Kobil Stage, Yellow knife Stage.

2.    We engaged in short public dialogue sessions where key HIV prevention messages were shared. This enabled Boda-Boda Riders and their peers to realise how they can continue participating in health Seeking practices that reduce risks/vulnerability to HIV infection.

3.    We were able to share more about the connection between HIV Prevention and VMMC

4.    We commissioned Boda-boda Riders to play a continued role as champions. This was possible through sharing with them the Tasks of an HIV Prevention Influencer or Champion Poster that highlighted three soft skills namely:

a.     Self Esteem Behaviour Change Skill. This emphasized conducting oneself responsibly

b.    Self-recognition/Self-Awareness Skill. This emphasized being aware that one has a duty to be a peer. Therefore, it called for avoiding recklessness in form of irresponsible practices, exposure to risks, exposure to vulnerabilities and avoid keeping destructive company

c.     Self-preservation Skill. This emphasized engaging in practices reducing risks and vulnerability to HIV. These included such strategies like:

1.    Abstinence

2.    Being faithful to a partner (fidelity)

3.    Correct and consistence condom use in every sexual act

4.    Disclosure of one’s status/Drug Adherence (ART, PrEP, PEP and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections)

d.    Ensure we address stigma and discrimination

e.     Early Testing

f.     Partner Notification

g.    Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision

 

 In collaboration with the chairpersons for Boda-Boda riders and the Local Council (LC) I, we finally launched the “My Safety, My Health! Health is My Choice!” Strategy under the VMMC Campaign funded by PEPFAR Uganda.

The programme participants appreciated the work of MOD Public Health Foundation-Uganda in promoting good health and living through actively engaging local communities. We also registered men who wanted to receive safe male circumcision immediately after the launch.

Involving programme participants such as Boda-Boda Riders at their stages and several other stakeholders is a principle of Communities of Practice (COP). It enables us to tap into resources that are easily accessible and acceptable. This in turn enables us to strengthen the systems and structures within which we motivate influencers to promote demand creation and awareness of sexual and reproductive health services including VMMC services and behaviour change communication.