RTK - Zambia Profile

Young people as a percentage of total population:
34% (age 10-24)

Estimated percentage of young people living with HIV/AIDS:
Female – 25.2%
Male – 9.7%

RTK INITIATIVE STATUS
Phase I: Planning for RTK -- Completed
Phase II: Participatory Action Research -- Initiated; to be completed upon receipt of funding
Phase III: Research development and Implementation of Communication Strategy -- To be initiated 2003

PURPOSE
The overall goal of the Initiative is to develop and implement appropriate participatory communication strategies that will enable at least 50% of young people in each “Right to Know” [RTK] Zambia country site to make positive informed decisions to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and to lead healthy lives.

PRIORITY ACTIVITIES, 2002-2003:

• Identify and involve NGOs/CBOs/individuals in the community who can influence young people in a positive manner
• Conduct participatory research to identify information use/needs of young people as a basis for communication strategies.
• Develop culturally appropriate information and communication strategies/approaches related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control among young people (i.e., drama, poetry, songs).

OBJECTIVES

• To strengthen the capacity of all participating youth NGOs and partners in participatory research methodologies and development of an appropriate communication strategy;
• To contribute to improvement of utilisation of Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) among young people by at least 50%;
• To promote use of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services among young people;
• To advocate for the integration of life skills in the training programmes for young people in schools, youth resource centres, and other institutions targeting young people;

PARTNERS AND LINKAGES

• Steering Committee: CBOH representative, MSYCD (Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Affairs Department) representative, National AIDS Council, National Youth Council, UNICEF, UNFPA, and other CBOs/NGOs (youth leaders) and institutions working with young people;
• University of Zambia (UNZA) as the collaborating research institution;
• Urban Self-Help (PUSH) as the youth co-ordination group;
• In close collaboration with the Adolescent Health Project, MSYCD;
• Youth Action Committee comprised of over 15 youth NGOs.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE

• Eastern and Southern Africa RTK Training, Lusaka 2002;
• Formation of Steering Committee and Youth Action Committee, workplan development, and proposal development with young people;
• Two sites identified for phase two PAR; initiated in Mutendere Compound; to be initiated in six others;
• Development of RTK training protocol module and monitoring and evaluation process forms.