Ncediso Gama, FHI 360
Nolwazi Khanyile, FHI 360
Thabile Mdluli, FHI 360
Lauren R. Rutherford, FHI 360
This post is part of a series about the real-life use and impact of technical tools, resources, technical assistance strategies, and other materials developed by the Maximizing Options to Advance Informed Choice for HIV Prevention (MOSAIC) project.
When equipped with the right tools, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) can be powerful agents of change in the fight against HIV. In Eswatini, the HIV Prevention Ambassador Training Package (HPAT) is intended to support and empower individuals affiliated with community-based organizations with the skills and information needed to lead their communities toward better health and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage to prevent HIV. Feedback from individuals that participated in a recent training of trainers suggests that this comprehensive tool is being widely adopted to do just that.
THE HIV PREVENTION AMBASSADOR TRAINING IN ACTION
The global community has made tremendous progress in controlling HIV, yet Eswatini continues to face high rates of HIV transmission. Eswatini has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, with approximately 25% of adults living with HIV. Women and girls bear the greatest burden; nearly two-thirds of the 6,900 Swazi people who acquired HIV in 2021 were women aged 15 and older. The HPAT was designed to empower priority population such as AGYW to improve personal and peer utilization of prevention services. In 2022, Eswatini’s Ministry of Health embraced the HPAT for use to uplift AGYW as HIV prevention leaders in their communities. Following the adoption of the HPAT, the Ministry of Health conducted a training of trainers with representatives from community-based organizations. Since then, more than 20 organizations in Eswatini have used the HPAT to train staff who work with young people.
EMPOWERING YOUTH
These organizations leverage the HPAT to enhance their prevention initiatives, create cadres of HIV prevention youth ambassadors, and engage communities in the HIV response in meaningful and impactful ways. This youth work and community engagement persist today.
One project officer from World Vision Eswatini noted, “Through the HPAT training, we were able to cascade information to youth facilitators and further tackle questions they have on PrEP.” Another organization reported, “We have PrEP ambassadors who were trained on the HPAT material and are currently working in their communities to mobilize for PrEP.” Such mobilization is crucial in increasing PrEP uptake and reducing HIV transmission rates.
REACHING DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
The HPAT is also instrumental in reaching a variety of community members. For example, Kwakha Indvodza, Eswatini’s first male mentoring organization, uses the toolkit to educate young men about PrEP. The team gathers men at “esangweni” (traditional meeting spaces), to share information on PrEP, and encourage them to use PrEP and condoms for HIV prevention. This direct engagement fosters a deeper understanding and acceptance of HIV prevention methods within the community and extends beyond men and boys as their mobile clinic is also accessible to AGYW.
The HPAT has become an important tool in Eswatini’s HIV prevention efforts. Through targeted training, community engagement, and effective mobilization, organizations are utilizing the HPAT material to create a ripple effect of education, empowerment, and prevention. With the support of the HPAT, Eswatini is taking decisive steps towards reducing new HIV infections and supporting vulnerable populations in leading healthier, safer lives.
Featured Image: Implementing partners display their HPAT completion certificates in Manzini, Eswatini (MOSAIC Eswatini).