Michele Lanham, Technical Advisor, FHI 360
Giuliana Morales, Knowledge Into Action Associate, Prevention Collaborative
Community-based organizations and PrEP implementers now have two more resources to help HIV prevention ambassadors promote the meaningful engagement of communities and potential and current PrEP users in the rollout of oral PrEP for HIV prevention.
The HIV Prevention Ambassador Training Package and Toolkit, developed by the OPTIONS Consortium and the CHOICE activity of the EpiC and RISE projects, was adapted from the popular HIV Prevention Ambassador Training Package and Toolkit for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
The training package includes specific examples about PrEP for men who have sex with men, transgender people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, serodifferent couples, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and adolescent girls and young women. However, it can be used with any PrEP priority population.
Through interactive activities, discussion, and action planning, the training prepares Ambassadors to share information with their peers about oral PrEP as part of combination HIV prevention. Ambassadors also gain skills to support peers who are interested in using PrEP and to build community support for oral PrEP.
For any Ambassadors who have not been previously trained on sexual and reproductive health and rights, the training also includes foundational sessions on sexual and reproductive health, human rights, gender, violence, and HIV transmission and prevention. Ambassadors are also equipped with skills to respond to peers who disclose that they have experienced violence.
This training can be implemented partially or in full by community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, ministries of health, and PrEP implementers. Trained HIV Prevention Ambassadors can also implement the training—or selected portions of it—with their peers.
Peer Education Tools
The HIV Prevention Ambassador Toolkit includes colorful, one-page handouts and worksheets in a booklet format that trained HIV Prevention Ambassadors can use to conduct peer support, community discussions, and other activities. The toolkit is designed to accompany the Ambassador Training Package and can be translated into local languages.
The HIV Prevention Ambassador Training Package and Toolkit was developed by the OPTIONS Consortium and the CHOICE activity of the EpiC and RISE projects. For more information, please send an email to ambassadortraining@prepnetwork.org.