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 Having
successfully implemented a peer education program for the prevention
of HIV/AIDS in Botswana in the early 1990's, 1999-2000 Fulbright
scholar Kathleen Norr took her knowledge and experience to Malawi
to work with Dr. Chrissie Kaponda, a core group of a dozen other
nursing faculty and researchers and 52 third-year nursing students
at the Kamuzu College of Nursing. Norr collaborated with host
country colleagues to adapt the peer education program, "Mzake
ndi Mzake," to the cultural context of Malawi.
Mzake ndi Mzake "incorporates several important concepts validated
by numerous international research evaluations to promote behavioral
change: social learning theory, a stage model of change, a focus
on understanding and overcoming gender inequalities and a peer-led
community participation approach." In Botswana, the program proved
successful. Over 200 peer group leaders were trained, the number
of women practicing abstinence or consistent condom use doubled
and community aids prevention activities increased.
The scholar worked with the college's newly established Center
for Nursing Research on Primary Health Care, Women's Health and
Reproductive Health to restructure the program to serve a Malawian
population with different educational needs and sociocultural
requirements. Adapting the peer education program required that
Norr and her colleagues identify the level of HIV/AIDS awareness,
the issues linked to partner relations and gender inequality and
the cultural and religious attitudes toward the disease and its
prevention. This process involved the development of focus groups
and consultations with governmental and nongovernmental organizations
conducting HIV/AIDS prevention activities. In July 2000, preliminary
results of the modified program were presented at the 13th International
Confernce on AIDS and STDs in Durban.
Now tailor made for Malawi, the program was tested at the Lilongwe
and Blantyre teacher training colleges; 125 students and 18 peer
leaders in Lilongwe and 250 students and 36 peer leaders in Blantyre
completed the program. This large group of individuals, set to
become the nation's school teachers, are now trained to discuss
with students the sensitive issues surrounding AIDS education.
Each time that the program has been pilot tested with different
groups in Malawi, the response has been positive. The peer group
leaders have been generally eager to learn and to share their
new knowledge with coworkers during peer group sessions.
Kathleen Norr and her Fulbright host institution colleagues have
made tremendous progress in the fight to prevent the spread of
HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa. Norr has successfully made an attempt
to fill a gap in the international education and prevention effort,
"the gap between mass media campaigns and intensive individualized
programs," by focusing on the importance of peer education. She
explains, "The peer group technique provides the intensive social
support, detailed information, values clarification and modification
of group norms and skill-building that foster and support behavioral
change." It is anticipated that the initiation of Mzake ndi Mzake
in Malawi will contribute to the government's strategic plan for
a national fight against HIV/AIDS. Not only does the program raise
awareness and educate communities, it has already proved successful
in the transformation of attitudes, norms and behavior. The Kamuzu
Nursing College and Dr. Norr are now seeking funding to continue
and expand the program.
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