Evaluation of HIV/AIDS Awareness Project

Background

Evaluation by Pentecostal Foreign Mission of Norway, Kenya.

FPFK has been doing HIV/AIDS awareness in three regions of the country namely the Nyanza, the Coast and Southern rift. The activities have been going on since the year 2000 to date. Several activities have been held both in schools, churches and community which include mass campaigns, sports, church seminars, community campaigns etc.
It is critical to involve faith-based groups in HIV/AIDS prevention and care-for the sake of society and of the groups themselves. FPFK has taken up the challenge to initiate HIV/AIDS behaviour change in churches and communities and to help people maintain the good and safe behaviours.

Purpose/objective

The evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness program is done so that it provides information on quality and effectiveness; improve current interventions in order to enhance the success of future initiatives and to look into program outcomes which include both short term and intermediate program effects. Sustainability issues would be considered in terms of finding out if program priorities need to be changed, expanded and to what extent resources need to be allocated.
The Evaluation team appointed by FPFK was to assess the activities carried under HIV/Aids project and address the above issues and give recommendation for future improvements.

Methodology

Qualitative methodology was used - findings derived from data gathered by a variety of means that include observations, interview and review of documents.
Tools and techniques for collecting qualitative data for the FPFK HIV/AIDS awareness and preventive project included;
• Participant observations
• Individual in-depth/key informant interviewing
• Focus group discus

Key findings

The team found the current project design was well thought out. Currently in the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic the faith based initiatives are proving to be very effective. This is due to such strengths as the availability of a captive audience, the structures already in place and the authority the church leaders command in the communities. Therefore FPFK HIV/AIDS project needs further strengthening of their project to have greater impact.
The literature reviewed and community consultations reveal that the project activities have been going on as planned and the output is evident. However to be able to measure the impact of the interventions effectively it would be advisable to do a baseline study.

It was found out that the management team is instrumental in the successful implementation of the HIV/AIDS prevention project. Therefore strengthening their capacity to play this important role is paramount.

Recommendations

• Concentrate and intensify activities in few sites to create greater impact.
• We recommend a forum that will provide the project staff, PSC, and the National board with an opportunity to discuss project issues. For example quarterly meetings between the PSC and Project staff, and with the National board once a year.
• Establish an operational base in the regions manned by a technical person to provide support and monitor activities.
• Redefine and clarify the role of all the project staff; project coordinator, project leader, area coordinators, team leaders, and evangelists to avoid conflict in roles.
• We recommend the development of a comprehensive behaviour change approach for HIV prevention, care and support in the communities.
• Initiate the peer education approach both in school and the community.
• The current awareness approach should continue complemented with the new behaviour change communication (BCC) approach.
• Conduct a comprehensive baseline study before beginning the next phase; develop monitoring tools for tracking down progress followed by a comprehensive end of project evaluation.
• To encourage ownership we recommend community participation in the project process (design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
• The project should establish linkages with micro-finance institutions (MFI's) and Source for seed money for a revolving fund. Consequently Churches, women and youth groups to be encouraged to start activities such as merry-go-round.
• Identify gaps in knowledge and skills and offer appropriate training to the managerial team, the project staff and key stakeholders.