Congo: Peer Educators Reach Military

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 8, 2006 — In April, PSI’s affiliate l’Association de Santé Familiale (ASF) and the Congolese military (FARDC) signed an unprecedented five year national collaboration protocol to continue and expand HIV/AIDS prevention activities with the military.

It is believed that HIV prevalence is above the 4.5% prevalence rate found in the general population. It is also estimated that in Africa, HIV rates in the military may be twice as high as those in the civilian population.

The protocol is a continuation of ASF’s work with FARDC that began in 2000 with a behavior change communications (BCC) project funded by USAID. The small pilot project with FARDC promoted responsible sexual behavior among the ranks.The protocol will allow ASF to expand its current project from the provinces of Kinshasa, Katanga and Sud Kivu to Bas-Congo, Kasai Oriental, and Nord Kivu.

Since the start of the project in 2000, ASF has focused on reducing HIV transmission, increasing knowledge of transmission and prevention, reinforcing risk perception, reducing high-risk sexual behavior and increasing condom use among DRC’s armed forces. The project centers are built upon a network of peer educators who are trained to conduct HIV prevention discussions with soldiers. Peer educators use visual aids, role plays and discussion to encourage soldiers to analyze and discuss issues surrounding risk perception: “trusted partner” myths, asymptomatic carriers, as well as the benefits of fidelity and the risks of multi-partnering. Peer educators also promote correct and consistent condom use. In 2005 alone, PSI/DRC conducted HIV/AIDS prevention activities with more than 15,000 military personnel.

PSI/DRC research found a substantial improvement in knowledge and behavior among the military. For example:

• Number of married or domestic partner respondents with a sexual partner outside of their regular partner dropped from 32.8% in 2000 to 24.5% in 2002
• Condom use increased with high-risk partners following the intervention, from 41% to 56% with occasional partners and 37% to 57% with paid partners
• Condom use by married partners also increased from 27.7% in 2000 to 37.7% in 2002

The five year protocol will allow ASF to significantly increase and expand its health impact in DRC. Previously, ASF and FARDC had to renegotiate the terms of their partnership on a yearly basis, but under this five-year protocol ASF will be able to work within an established long-term framework, reducing the time and work needed to renegotiate the protocol anew.

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The HIV rates in Democractic Republic of Congo are believed to be above the 4.5% prevalence rate found in the general population.