Prevention messages get an airing on community radio
28 March 2007
A community radio station in Senegal has put in place an HIV prevention action plan with the help of the Alliance linking organisation, Alliance Nationale Contre le SIDA (ANCS). GEO FM is now broadcasting on HIV issues following training for presenters and staff.
The ANCS team briefed station staff earlier in 2007 about HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and communication techniques. Following a pre-test questionnaire to assess their existing knowledge, staff learnt what STIs and HIV are and their symptoms; how they can be transmitted and prevented; what is involved in testing and treatment; and about the relationship between STIs and HIV – how an untreated STI can be a point of entry for HIV.
Communication training began by defining what communication is, and went on to look at how to communicate in the context of STIs/HIV, including sources of information and editorial styles. It then identified the obstacles to communication and the conditions for good communication. Then participants split up into groups to prepare a role play in which they presented topics to the public as if they were in the station studio.
The participatory and reinforcement approach to the training motivated staff, and their questioning showed how well they had been engaged by the facilitator.
The community radio station covers several villages around Guinguinéo in Kaolack region. It uses Wolof, Pulaar, Sérère, Bambara and Maure languages in its broadcasts that go out in the mornings and evenings.
The training involved all 19 members of the radio station's staff: the various language presenters, the head of accounts, the president of the management committee, the head of the station and the marketing officer.
