Urban women educate their community on HIV / STDs, family planning and reproductive health.

To broaden the context of HIV/AIDS prevention interventions in an urban slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a model program was developed that involved training 12 low-income women to serve as paid community health agents. The 4-month training course covered the health education topics of reproduction, HIV/AIDS, family planning (FP), and reproductive health and was guided by the belief that women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS is embedded in gender relations and that health education should be bolstered with promotion of individual autonomy among trainees. Trainees also conducted simple research to analyze the needs of their community and assessed and produced the health education materials they would use in the community. The HIV/AIDS intervention model developed by the women takes the form of three community meetings on 1) gender relations, 2) sexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention, and 3) AIDS. Women who attend the meetings are given cards that simplify their acceptance as FP clients at local health centers. The training empowered the 12 women and led to positive improvements in their lives. Because their community is controlled by drug dealers, the women had to overcome restrictions on their interactions with their neighbors. The training gave the women the courage to do this and to be recognized and accepted in their communities. While the paid project is completed, the women have continued offering educational sessions. Currently, the project staff is seeking funding to find ways to replicate this intervention model at a lower cost.