Using HIV peer educators for TB prevention

With support from the Global Fund, the Ghana Social Marketing Foundation (GSMF) designed and implemented a four-month long multi-channel tuberculosis communication intervention in 2006. The program, which included training of peer educators already active in a GSMF HIV campaign, peer education activities at transport hubs, and billboards , is thought to have reached 35,000 people through peer education activities alone. Peer education activities included one-on-one activities, bus-talks, small group discussions, and large group education sessions at transport hubs. Campaign messages focused on stigma reduction, promotion of early treatment seeking, and increasing awareness of public sector treatment services.

Key lessons learned:

• The job aids and audience take-aways used by the peer educators, which GSMF received from Ghana's national TB program, proved inadequate. GSMF is currently developing additional materials.
• While using HIV-focused peer educators to conduct TB prevention activities seems to have had advantages in terms of training and logistics, TB activities should have been more clearly branded (through the provision of campaign-specific gear for peer educators, for example).
• GSMF identified a need for greater coordination and harmonization of efforts between NGOs working in TB prevention and public sector treatment services.

When we talk about TB/HIV integration, it tends to be in terms of services. Examining models for integration of communication activities, like that piloted by GSMF, is also important, as it offers opportunities for both logistical streamlining and improved messaging and targeting of interpersonal communication.

For information on GSMF's TB communication program, see: http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269036/38