Balancing community mobilisation and measurement needs in the evaluation of targeted interventions for HIV prevention
Lambert, H.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 66 Suppl. 2: Ii3-Ii4
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0143-005X PMID: 22826295 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2012-201566Document Number: 566266
The case that engaging communities at a high risk of HIV to act in reducing their own vulnerability is essential to prevention programmes has gained widespread acceptance as a public health principle. Producing unequivocal evidence of its effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission is problematic however and the means and mechanisms through which such effects may operate remain a matter of debate. The papers in this special issue contribute to our understanding of both these issues, while indicating that it is feasible to mobilise high risk, marginalised communities for HIV prevention on a large scale. Overall, the papers document remarkable successes across diverse regional contexts and local populations in establishing community groups and building collective solidarity among group members. Yet, some findings are less robust and the papers also show how systematic measurement of community mobilisation and the production of reliable evidence concerning its effects on HIV risk remain fraught with.