Project description:

Adolescent girls and young women of 18-24 years are at high risk of HIV infection and have been identified for the PrEP project. The target group is approached in their hang-out/ workplace areas mainly salons, watering points, hotels, colleges, social groups/sites, etc. in order to create demand for PrEP.Additionally, young musicians and celebrities have been recruited and trained to create awareness through their music, tweets, blogs, and interviews.

On the other hand, BHESP is generating messages that communicate the most information in the least time but speak to their wants, needs, and aspirations. Communication is done by musicians and other entertainers through concerts and road shows. Peer educators have been trained for identification and mobilization. The peers including their senior peers, mentors (influencers), and early PrEP adopters are used to reach target AGYW through snowball, interpersonal, and group facilitator-led communication approaches and social media platforms.BHESP Staff has been internally trained to provide efficient testing, screening, and benefits navigation that come with accessing PrEP.

In order to increase PrEP coverage and adherence, an interactive website with blogs has been launched that sends SMS reminders to new consumers to help them adhere to their medication and link them to professionals and peers within an online social network to answer their questions.

Lastly, support groups have been formed by the consumers and are meeting regularly and are encouraged to transform into economic and social groups where PrEP issues are mainstreamed into their activities.