NIMH project accept (HPTN 043) HIV/AIDS community mobilization (CM) to promote mobile HIV voluntary counseling and testing (MVCT) in rural communities in northern thailand: Modifications by experience

• Main Authors: Kawichai,S., Celentano,D.D., Srithanaviboonchai,K., Wichajarn,M., Pancharoen,K., Chariyalertsak,C., Visrutaratana,S., Khumalo-Sakutukwa,G.N., Sweat,M.D., Chariyalertsak,S.
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer New York 2015
• Subjects: Social Psychology; Infectious Diseases; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84863723460&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/38212
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Project Accept is a RCT designed to test the efficacy of community mobilization (CM), mobile voluntary counseling and testing (MVCT), and post-test support services (PTSS) in reducing HIV incidence in three African countries and Thailand. The intervention started in rural areas, northern Thailand in January 2006. CM initially included door-to-door visits during the daytime, small group discussions and joining organized meetings and followed by MVCT. In February 2007, CM strategy using HIV/AIDS "edutainment" (education and entertainment) during evening hours was introduced. After edutainment was initiated, the number of participants increased substantially. VCT uptake increased from 18 to 28 persons/day on average (t test; t = 7.87 P\0.0001). Edutainment especially motivated younger people, as the median age of VCT clients decreased from 38 to 35 years old (median test; z = 6.74, P\0.0001). Providing free MVCT in community settings along with edutainment during evening hours increased VCT uptake and was particularly attractive to younger adults. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.