Report / Evaluation

External Evaluation of the Southern African Regional Social and Behavior Change Communication Program, as Implemented in Swaziland (Briefing)

Abstract

The Southern African Regional Social and Behavior Change Communication Program, funded by the British Department for International Development (DfID), aimed to reduce HIV infection by increasing health awareness and by facilitating social and behavioral change through the use of both mass media and community-based activities. The Swaziland component of the program was implemented by Lusweti and the Southern African HIV and AIDS Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS). The main objective of the external evaluation was to assess the net effect of exposure to specific components of the program on key indicators of HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, after controlling for other factors or programs that might also concurrently influence or determine those outcomes. The effects of the Regional Program interventions varied greatly depending on the nature of the intervention and behavioural outcome examined. The analysis demonstrates that some forms of media may be more appropriate to address specific outcomes or may be more successful with men or women