Working with journalists is an important advocacy tool in the fight against HIV and TB. The USAID Dialogue on HIV and TB Project conducts workshops for journalists on providing correct and non-stigmatizing reports of HIV and TB. Topics include the role of journalists in educating the public about TB and its prevention, presenting correct information on HIV and TB, and reducing stigma towards people who have HIV and/or TB.

 

Community-based approaches to improving early TB case detection and reduction of default rates are especially important in countries where the current system lacks the capacity to follow up with at-risk individuals who are unlikely to seek services on their own.  This is especially the case for injecting drug users who have added difficulties in adhering to treatment.  Under the USAID Dialogue on HIV and TB Project, trainings are conducted for community leaders to better inform them on issues related to HIV and TB. During these trainings, the program is introduced with an explanation of the program’s referral system, case management services for those needing social support, and the community-based support scheme for TB treatment adherence.

 

The target populations with whom we work often fear being harassed and treated poorly by police when seeking prevention services. Strong collaboration with police is needed to minimize interruptions when conducting outreach activities among most-at-risk populations and to ensure the safety of both the project clients and outreach staff. The USAID Dialogue on HIV and TB Project partners with police in project sites and conducts HIV and TB prevention trainings for them to increase their awareness of the project and to reduce stigma and discrimination towards most-at-risk populations. These trainings and supporting activities create an opportunity for project outreach workers and project coordinators to discuss with police how to better collaborate – resulting in less interference during outreach to most-at-risk populations.