|
Eritrean Social Marketing Group
|
Program
Focus: |
HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria prevention |
|
Target
Regions: |
Cities of Asmara, Assab, Massawa, and
Keren and surrounding areas |
|
Target
Population: |
Sexually-active adult populations (ages 15 to 65), high-risk
groups, and the military.
|
|
| Products: |
Abusalama condoms since 1998
|
|
| 2005 Estimated Health
Impact |
Unintended pregnancies averted: 14,523
(explained)
|
|
Local
Collaboration: |
Under a tripartite agreement with the Government of the State
of Eritrea and the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students
(NUEYS), PSI has established the Eritrean Social Marketing Group
(ESMG). This group, which forms a division of NUEYS, is responsible
for implementing a condom social marketing project for AIDS prevention.
|
|
Current
Donors: |
Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
|
|
Project Activities and Highlights
|
Malaria
|
| • |
In 2004, with funds received from the Global Fund,
Eritrean Social Marketing Group branched into malaria prevention
by assisting the Ministry of Health in promoting the use of bednets
and insecticide. |
|
Condom Social Marketing
|
| • |
Abusalama condoms received a makeover in 2001 to better
reflect the lifestyle and attitudes of Eritreans. The new packaging
and logo were developed with input from Eritrean young adults and
presented to the public at a free concert. The relaunch event received
extensive coverage on radio, television, and in the press, including
coverage on the BBC, VOA and German Deutche Welle. |
| • |
ESMG introduced Eritrea's first condom vending machines
in 2001 in order to address concerns related to embarrassment and
privacy when purchasing condoms. To date, condom vending machines
have been installed in various locations around Asmara including
some of the most popular bars, restaurants and hotels in the country. |
|
Behavior Change Communication
|
| • |
Ongoing communications activities include mobile video
unit presentations in remote villages, music and drama performances,
school debate events, and essay contests. The project has also produced
12 audio/visual generic HIV/AIDS prevention spots, using famous
personalities and musicians, which currently air daily on radio
and television. Twelve additional spots are scheduled for production
using ordinary people and community role models. |
|
Future Plans
|
| • |
PSI has also submitted a concept paper to donors for
the introduction of a safe water product in Eritrea. PSI believes
it can achieve significant health impact by introducing a home based
water treatment kit that would provide clean water to over 70% of
Eritreans who currently do not have access to clean water. |
|
 |
 |
PSI/Eritrea sponsors promotional events
like this camel race to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS
prevention and Abusalama condoms.
|
|
|
