IEC in HIV/AIDS project. Final evaluation report.(Information, Education and Communication)

Background

The project "HIV/AIDS City of El Alto" was implemented from 2002 to 2004 in state educational units, covering nearly 1/3 of the secondary school population, contemplating activities on training, information and actions aimed at consolidating the Strategic Health Plan (SHP) of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and reinforcing education within the framework of the Ministry of Education's regular study plan for secondary schools.

In this context, the objective of the project was implementing knowledge, attitudes and practices of the student population on STIs-HIV/AIDS and contributing to an improvement of the health situation in the municipality of El Alto. The project aims at reactivating the participation of students, teachers, parents and groups of young persons, implementing a training model in health services, consolidating a shared management structure around prevention and strengthening the local healthcare system.

The project is organised in two lines of action: management of the project, consisting of organisation of a Technical Managing Team composed of representatives from the state healthcare sector and MAN-B and, the training system that consists of three subsystems: structuring of work teams by levels, operation of the teams on every level and logistics regarding assigned and available materials and instruments.

Within this framework, the project was initially managed by the Development Institute.

Activities are carried out in the municipal section of El Alto. The target population are students in 42 state educational units at secondary school level, as well as teachers, parents, churches and other voluntary organisations.

Purpose/objective

Make an evaluation of the first period (1.1.03-31.12.04) of the HIV/AIDS project in the city of El Alto, which has been implemented by Norwegian Mission Alliance (MAN-B) in relation to the interventions described in the project document.

Methodology

A) An evaluation process, applying instruments, interviews and meetings for data analysis, besides a revision of documents.
B) Using participatory techniques that facilitate communication and free expression of the beneficiaries and actors of the HEALTH AND EDUCATION SYSTEM.
C) Using recordings, aimed at reflecting the perceptions of interviewees regarding the following three questions

Key findings

The project was developed in a rather unstable context characterised by social conflicts: from sectoral strikes including the educational and healthcare sectors to general strikes of the whole population from El Alto, which had a deep impact on the national level and which ended with a change of government in October 2003.

For the purpose of the evaluation, the structure, the process for Project execution and measurable results were considered.

Within this framework, the project has suffered a series of difficulties during execution; still, interesting results have been achieved, such as information provided to 97% of the students, participation of 68 teachers as facilitators and strategic alliances with the CSP (Pilot Health Centre), i.e. the natural training level of the Departmental Health Service La Paz.

Result No. 1. Shared co-management and reactivation of population segments who participate in the project. Progress of 75%, due to weaknesses in operation of the DILOS, mainly related to political party politics.

Result No. 2. A structured system for training in HIV/AIDS is operating in Educational Units of El Alto. The goal has been achieved in 92%, which could have been better but for the socio-political problems.

Result No. 3. The strengthened Health District provides training in HIV/AIDS and is developing IEC activities. Obtained progress of 73%, basically due to staff turnover and a change of authorities and peers in the healthcare system.

The Project focused on being an extensive intervention. Nevertheless, the short-term achievements cannot be attributed to the project, and neither can the generation of changes of conduct that ensure transmission to future generations. Consequently, it is necessary to consider coverage of the second project phase and analyse whether the intervention model should not be more intensive instead of extensive.

Recommendations

This conclusion shows the importance of having a monitoring and follow-up system, in which the institution must assume this responsibility as a joint activity, recommending the application of this type of instruments to STIs-HIV/AIDS.

It is important to underline that actions as those carried out by the project are not sufficient if they are not complemented with concrete actions, e.g. constantly insist with the public healthcare system and other donor agencies operating in El Alto to ensure sustainability through Strategic Alliances.

The conclusions of the evaluation team point at important and significant progress in most indicators proposed for the project; the activities carried out so far are highly valued and continuation of the project is highly recommended.