Population Services International Botswana (PSI/B) is taking the campaign against alcohol abuse and caution against multiple concurrent relationships to Mahalapye, Palapye and Selibe Phikwe.
The PSI is a non-profit making organisation that carries out social marketing and communications of health to vulnerable communities to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
PSI/B reports in its release that studies provide evidence that alcohol abuse increases the risk of HIV transmission in both men and women; it contributes to the alarming statistics of road carnage, violence and also has an adverse effect on people who are on Antiretroviral treatment, who are more likely to default on the their treatment making it less effective.
PSI/B thus launched a project, first piloted in Lobatse and Gaborone and surrounding areas, that encourages responsible drinking and the practice of safe sex. They have worked with District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committees (DMSAC) in designing a new HIV prevention strategy that addresses alcohol abuse and multiple concurrent partnerships, which is also aligned with the Government of Botswana’s national HIV/AIDS prevention strategy.
And they have identified community and faith-based organizations, and theatre groups to partner in the project which is now being launched in Palapye, Mahalapye and Selibe Phikwe, in a series of national district level events that feature music and edutainment plays by PSI and the DMSACs. They are also working with Men Sex and AIDS, Itsoseng Banana, Young Women Friendly Centre, AMEST, Minister Fraternal, YOHO Phikwe Theatre, Madiba Theatre Group and Pitso Theatre in new HIV prevention projects with the support of ACHAP and PEPFAR.
The project was launched last week on Tuesday, 23rd September at Botshabelo Customary Court in Selibe Phikwe and on the 27th September at the main kgotla in Mahalapye.
