The effectiveness of health communicators advocating the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) among men having sex with men (MSM) in Windhoek, Namibia

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Published: Mar 2, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59677/njlc.v16i1.33
Keywords:
advocacy, adoption, health communication, men who have sex with men, pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV, high-risk behaviour

Main Article Content

Frieda Lukas
Namibia University of Science and Technology
Clayton Peel
Namibia University of Science and Technology

Abstract

This study assesses the effectiveness of caseworkers working with the Society of Family Health Namibia (SFH-Namibia) as health communicators in advocating the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM).  The study assessed the outreach’s effectiveness in diffusing information about a medicinal product with HIV-preventative qualities, with urgency for its adoption among HIV-negative men who have sex with men because they are at a high risk of contracting HIV-AIDS. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 respondents, of whom six were MSM, and six were caseworkers from SFH-Namibia. An additional 14 MSM respondents participated in a focus group discussion whose purpose was to record an honest exchange of views among MSM themselves on PrEP and its promotion. The general findings were that PrEP is winning cautious acceptance, with most adoptions influenced by the interventions of the SFH caseworkers, but others also benefitting after peer counselling from other MSM, mediated by channels such as WhatsApp. The importance of peer counselling among MSM especially using new media technology was a notable finding.

Article Details

How to Cite
Lukas, F., & Peel, C. (2023). The effectiveness of health communicators advocating the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) among men having sex with men (MSM) in Windhoek, Namibia. Namibian Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Communication Studies, 16(1), 66–78. https://doi.org/10.59677/njlc.v16i1.33
Issue
Vol. 16 No. 1 (2022): NAWA Journal of Language and Communication
Section
Articles
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Author Biographies

Frieda Lukas, Namibia University of Science and Technology

Frieda Lukas is the Communication Associate of at the United Nations Development Programme Namibia Country Office (CO), responsible for implementing the corporate communications strategy, as well as providing inputs to the design, management, and implementation of the CO’s communications and publication strategies. An Honours graduate in Communication of the Namibia University of Science and Technology, Frieda is a diligent and passionate strategic communications specialist with prolific media skills and extensive media insight. Her experience extends across the disciplines and competences of development communication, corporate communication, media relations, storytelling, partnerships, social media, Google analytics and graphic design. Email: frieda.lukas@undp.org

Clayton Peel, Namibia University of Science and Technology

Clayton Peel, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Communication and Journalism at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. His research interests are in the areas of communication and governance; innovative technologies as teaching tools; investigating the sociology of technology adoption among university educators and the influence of the environment on their digital practice; media regulation in emerging democracies; diaspora, media and ethnicity; and media and politics. Email: apeel@nust.na

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