EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AIDS HEALTH-EDUCATION INTERVENTIONS IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN UGANDA

In 1992 the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda designed an AIDS pre vention project and conducted a baseline survey prior to community lev el activities. Results of that baseline were previously reported in th is journal. During 2 years of prevention activities in local Muslim co mmunities, 23 trainers educated over 3,000 religious leaders and their assistants, who in turn educated their communities on AIDS during hom e visits and at religious gatherings. After 2 years, there was a signi ficant increase in correct knowledge of HIV transmission, methods of p reventing HIV infection and the risk associated with ablution of the d ead and unsterile circumcision (p < 0.001). There was a significant re duction in self-reported sexual partners among the young respondents l ess than 45 years. In addition there was a significant increase in sel f-reported condom use among males in urban areas (p < 0.001). Collabor ation between health professionals and religious leaders can be achiev ed and can contribute to the success of AIDS prevention efforts.