SFH South in HIV/AIDS Social Marketing Drive

SFH South in HIV/AIDS Social Marketing Drive

Latest report indicates that a total of 89 outlets selling the two SFH condoms brands, Prudence and Plasir were visited recently in the districts of Huye, Nyamagabe and Gisagara in Southern Province.

Conducted by SFH field supervisors under the guidance of the Team leader, Fidele BYIRINGIRO, the aim of such visits is to ensure that the chain of distribution of the organisation (SFH) products is efficient. Old and new outlets were visited, while capturing experiences from agents which SFH could leverage on to improve service delivery.

HIV/AIDS prevention is one of the five key intervention areas by SFH.

Fidele further reports that a total of 30 youth school dropouts were trained life skills like shoemaking. It is hoped that if youth are kept engaged in productive work it highly reduces chances of contracting HIV/AIDS. Other ways of tackling HIV/AIDS prevention in the province by SFH include; use of Mobile Video Unit (MVU) aimed at creating awareness to increase condom use, through Inter Personal Communication (IPC) especially with highly risky groups called “Key Population (KP)”—including Female Sex Workers, Men having Sex with Men (MSM), People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) and Moto Drivers. One session of MVU was held during the month of November in Huye. This was complemented with rapid promotions of Prudence Condom to KPs in Kanjongo Sector, Nyamasheke District and reached out to a total of 62 KPs of various types.

Records show that 19,200 pieces of prudence were sold, only in November in Southern Region. However, the HIV/AIDS prevention still face a challenge of religious beliefs against the sale and use of condoms. With the continued social marketing and advocacy by SFH it is hoped such myths will change.