Prevention of HIV
Condom education and promotion

An innovative strategy to increase condom availability, accessibility and condom promotion was the establishment of a network of hair salons as sites for socially marketing female and male condoms. Female condom use has lagged behind male condom usage in the country. Capitalizing on the fact that women attending hair salons form a captive audience, salon owners and workers were trained as peer educators and condom distributors.

ACHAP through its partnership with PSI/B supported the training of 120 salon owners and their staff in HIV prevention with emphasis on condom education, distribution and storage. These were from 81 salons in Gaborone, Palapye, Francistown and Maun.

Some salon owners indicated willingness to distribute condoms at their salons and arrangements have been made for them to place orders from PSI. Additionally, 29 of PSI’s existing “merchandisers” have been trained to be able to provide weekly follow up with the salons that will be promoting, distributing and selling condoms.

In addition, 8 ‘Ambassadors’ – well-known entertainers popular with youth – were recruited to join a program of pub-based condom promotions. Information Education Communication (IEC) support materials were designed to support this effort. Television and radio spots complemented by weekly radio call-in shows support the community and bar condom promotions as part of a major effort to increase condom availability and access. Print campaign materials are  given  to incentivize listeners to call in and share their experiences and opinions.