Kendeya Community Health Partnership: Learning about HIV / AIDS

On November 22nd Annarita, Emily, and the social worker of the health district of Saraya, Dr Moustapha Sy, visited the village of Balori, which is located about 25 kilometers south of Saraya and reachable only via ‘bush path’. In this small, isolated village KCHP organized a causerie, an informal discussion the aim of which is to share knowledge and understanding of a specific topic. Thanks to translation skills of Batouna Diaby, a student from Balori attending the lycée of Saraya, the French speaking team was able to have an informative and lively discussion about HIV/AIDS with the Malinké speaking population of Balori. The one classroom school that hosted the event was packed with over half of Balori’s population, and included men, women, youth and religious leaders. During the causerie, KCHP staff discussed HIV/AIDS as a state of ill-health, ensuring that everyone present had an understanding of the virus as a debilitating condition that not only impacts one’s health and well-being but if left untreated, can have life threatening consequences.

In some of the remote villages in the district of Saraya, the dissemination of public health information is often available only through weekly radio broadcasts, making access to adequate information about health issues difficult to obtain. KCHP carefully explained the consequences of HIV/AIDS infection and the different ways in which the illness can be contracted, with emphasis on gaining favor of protected sex from elder community members. KCHP was also able to examine the misconception that women are most often responsible for spreading the infection. The belief was discussed underlining how the men in the village, many of whom are migrant workers, may leave Balori for an extended period of time, increasing their chances of contracting the virus and ultimately bring it back to the village. The importance of using protection during extra-marital or pre-marital sex was strongly emphasized and everyone became familiar with the possibility of accessing condoms through their local health workers. Once the risks of infection were identified with the community, a discussion of antiretroviral therapy and the possibility of living with the virus through early detection and treatment, ensued. Due to the informative and interactive discussion, KCHP staff was able to introduce the importance of dépistage volontaire (voluntary HIV/AIDS testing), which allows community members to be aware of their HIV status.

Everyone in attendance was enthusiastic and thankful to KCHP for coming to Balori to share both time and knowledge with the community. Despite the serious nature of the topic, the causerie participants enjoyed the discussion, thereby facilitating an open and encouraging learning environment. KCHP managed to establish a rapport with local authorities, including the chef du village (head of the village), the Imam, and the local health worker. The population showed an interest in becoming involved in future KCHP events, displaying genuine trust in the organization’s concern for their health and well-being. KCHP is currently planning another visit to Balori, in order to host a dépistage volontaire in the remote but positive and receptive community.