PREVENTION
Prevention interventions focus on promotion of Abstinence and Being Faithful strategies, using a faith based approach. Activities range from behavior change communication using different communication channels that include films and drama shows, radio talk shows and spot messages to newspapers, behavior change rallies and life skills sessions. Other activities include training for religious leaders and other community mobilizers in basic HIV/AIDS counseling and referral, HIV counseling and testing services and parenting workshops.
Abstinence
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) for behaviour change to promote and sustain risk reducing behavior among individuals and communities are used. Tailored health messages promoting abstinence are disseminated in a variety of channels including radio, newspapers, group dialogue, music dance and drama as well as film shows to encourage audiences to change behaviour positively and avoid HIV/AIDS.
Training in life skills development
Life skills trainings empower children and youth with positive life values and motivation to change their lifestyle to avoid risky behaviours that can expose them to HIV/AIDS. Life skills development sessions such as Adventure Unlimited and Choose freedom are conducted for youth in and out of school. Skills imparted include self awareness, assertiveness, effective communication, resisting peer pressure among others.
Behaviour Change Rallies (BCR)
IRCU encourages innovative approaches to disseminate messages promoting abstinence to young people to prevent HIV infection. Behaviour change rallies are intended to provide educative non-sexualised entertainment to create an atmosphere that promotes abstinence. Inspirational music performance by Artists; open competitive dances among students are used to attract students’ attention before an inspirational speaker talks about importance of abstinence to prevent HIV.
Be Faithful Campaigns
In Uganda, new HIV infections rates are high among couples which is significantly a result of unfaithfulness among spouses. IRCU promotes fidelity among married couples to prevent HIV/AIDS. Married couples are targeted with messages through dialogues and counseling sessions promoting faithfulness.
Parenting seminars
To realize behavior change among youths, there must be a supportive environment from their “gatekeepers”.
IRCU supports activities geared towards empowering parents with positive parenting skills to be effective in their parenting responsibilities.
Through parenting seminars, parents are equipped with practical communication skills for better and healthy relationships between them and their children.
HIV Counseling and Testing
IRCU promotes access to HIV testing and counseling for communities through service outlets and outreaches. Through networking and partnerships implementing partners are able to take testing services to the people to know their HIV status and make informed decisions in HIV prevention.
Community/Peer mobilization
IRCU supports peer education activities through which communities are mobilized and sensitized about abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage to HIV/AIDS prevention. IRCU believes that peers, opinion and religious leaders if trained have great potential to communicate AB messages and influence individuals and groups to change behaviour.
Prevention interventions focus on promotion of Abstinence and Being Faithful strategies, using a faith based approach. Activities range from behavior change communication using different communication channels that include films and drama shows, radio talk shows and spot messages to newspapers, behavior change rallies and life skills sessions. Other activities include training for religious leaders and other community mobilizers in basic HIV/AIDS counseling and referral, HIV counseling and testing services and parenting workshops.
Abstinence
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) for behaviour change to promote and sustain risk reducing behavior among individuals and communities are used. Tailored health messages promoting abstinence are disseminated in a variety of channels including radio, newspapers, group dialogue, music dance and drama as well as film shows to encourage audiences to change behaviour positively and avoid HIV/AIDS.
Training in life skills development Life skills trainings empower children and youth with positive life values and motivation to change their lifestyle to avoid risky behaviours that can expose them to HIV/AIDS. Life skills development sessions such as Adventure Unlimited and Choose freedom are conducted for youth in and out of school. Skills imparted include self awareness, assertiveness, effective communication, resisting peer pressure among others.
Behaviour Change Rallies (BCR)
IRCU encourages innovative approaches to disseminate messages promoting abstinence to young people to prevent HIV infection. Behaviour change rallies are intended to provide educative non-sexualised entertainment to create an atmosphere that promotes abstinence. Inspirational music performance by Artists; open competitive dances among students are used to attract students’ attention before an inspirational speaker talks about importance of abstinence to prevent HIV.
Be Faithful Campaigns
In Uganda, new HIV infections rates are high among couples which is significantly a result of unfaithfulness among spouses. IRCU promotes fidelity among married couples to prevent HIV/AIDS. Married couples are targeted with messages through dialogues and counseling sessions promoting faithfulness.
Parenting seminarsTo realize behavior change among youths, there must be a supportive environment from their “gatekeepers”.
IRCU supports activities geared towards empowering parents with positive parenting skills to be effective in their parenting responsibilities.
Through parenting seminars, parents are equipped with practical communication skills for better and healthy relationships between them and their children.
HIV Counseling and Testing
IRCU promotes access to HIV testing and counseling for communities through service outlets and outreaches. Through networking and partnerships implementing partners are able to take testing services to the people to know their HIV status and make informed decisions in HIV prevention.
Community/Peer mobilization
IRCU supports peer education activities through which communities are mobilized and sensitized about abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage to HIV/AIDS prevention. IRCU believes that peers, opinion and religious leaders if trained have great potential to communicate AB messages and influence individuals and groups to change behaviour.