PEPAIDS is committed to supporting SAPEP’s work by conducting academic research that examines the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa; its causes and effects; and the impact of SAPEP’s work in the communities in which it operates.

Sheila Greatrex-White, a researcher at the Department of Nursing at the University of Nottingham, is currently in the process of setting up a collaborative research project between the University of Nottingham and the University of Zambia that will endeavour to examine the impact of SAPEP’s programme in more detail. More information on this project is coming soon.

Currently we have had one piece of research published in the African Journal of AIDS Research entitled The Simalelo Peer Education Programme for HIV Prevention: a qualitative process evaluation of a project in Zambia [AJAR, 3 (2): 183-190 © NISC (pty) Ltd. www.nisc.co.za]. The piece was co-authored by Alex Molassiotis and Irene Saralis-Avis (PEPAIDS trustees), and Wilson Nyirenda and Nina Atkins (SAPEP Executive Director and Programme Advisor respectively).

The Abstract follows:

The aim of the project was to evaluate a peer education programme in Zambia run by local people in relation to changes in behaviours, the effects of the programme on the community and the dynamics of peer health promotion. A qualitative process evaluation using focus groups consisting of both participants in the peer education programme and educators was utilised. The peer education programme was aimed at setting up anti-AIDS clubs through recreational activities, empowering people in a variety of ways, and reaching people in some of the most remote parts of the country, Key findings indicated that the programme had an impact on participants’ attitudes to HIV/AIDS as well as on lifestyle and behaviour, both in relation to sexual practices and cultural norms. Knowledge about HIV prevention was substantial and clear. Most importantly, the findings suggest that success of the programme is related to the fact that it brought the community together to fight AIDS. Peer education programmes must be able to motivate people to work together with appropriate methods, empower local communities and consider issues of long-term sustainability.