Chapter 1: Barriers to Behaviour Change as a Response to STD Including HIV/AIDS: The East African Experience

Abstract

This chapter is based on a regional project being implemented in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia by the African Medical Research Foundation. The project, which targets young people aged 10-25 years, is a five-year initiative that started in 1995 and is currently in its final stages. The purpose is to improve young people's sexual and reproductive health behaviour through delayed start of sexual activity, reduced exposure to STD and HIV/AIDS and increased effective use of appropriate services. We present an analysis of the different strategies used in the four project sites, including provision of accurate information and recreational facilities, the trends in behaviour change that have been observed and the barriers to positive behaviour change including misconceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, cultural and religious values and lack of political will. Suggestions on alternative and effective measures for behaviour change among young people are also discussed.