Social Change Indicators for HIV/AIDS Interventions

As previously stated, workshop participants strongly expressed the need to develop indicators for measuring social and organizational change in the community, going beyond measurement of individual-level changes. A preliminary list of social change indicators for HIV/AIDS communication interventions may include:

Changes in the degree (in terms of frequency, reach, intensity, and quality) to which:

1. The workplaces in the community have implemented HIV/AIDS programmes.

2. The community has initiated home-based care programmes.

3. The local health services offer HIV/AIDS testing and counselling.

4. The local health services ensure and provide access to safe blood supply.

5. The local brothels and commercial sex houses have initiated a condom adoption and HIV testing policy.

6. The local prisons and military establishments have instituted HIV/AIDS programmes.

7. The local schools have adopted an HIV/AIDS education curriculum.

8. The dropout rate for AIDS orphans at local schools has decreased.

9. Those who are living with HIV/AIDS are part of the “mainstream” in society (employed in regular jobs, working as counselors, etc.).

10. Those who are living with HIV/AIDS are protected by laws (that are designed to uphold their rights).

11. The quality of life of those living with AIDS, and those taking care of them, has been enhanced.

12. The community members openly discuss and debate HIV/AIDS issues in public meetings.

13. New community-based programmes and initiatives have been launched to address HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support.

14. New coalitions and alliances have emerged among community organizations to address HIV/AIDS issues.

15. The community members have collectively taken decisions or passed resolutions about combating HIV/AIDS.

16. Grassroots leadership has emerged from within the community to tackle HIV/AIDS issues.

17. Religious organizations and spiritual leaders are involved in HIV prevention, care, and support programmes.

18. The community has engaged in acts of mobilization and activism for HIV/AIDS related issues.

19. The community has engaged with the local administration, service delivery organizations, non-governmental organizations, and others on HIV/AIDS issues. 20. The community’s cultural activities (sports, folk media, festivals, celebrations, songs, etc.) engage with HIV/AIDS issues.

21. The most vulnerable groups for HIV/AIDS in a community have been empowered to take more control of their external environment.

22. The media coverage and media advocacy for HIV/AIDS has increased. 23. The overall rates of STDs and HIV infections have decreased.

24. The community has become AIDS-competent in terms of prevention, care, and support.

25. There exists multi-sectoral involvement at the national level for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support.