Training on Social and Behavior Change Communication in the Health Sector in Kaduna, Nigeria

The hands-on, participatory learning workshop used the new C-Change Understanding Social and Behavior Change Communication - a Learing Package in 6 Modules to strengthen the capacity of organizations and their professionals to carry out evidence-based HIV prevention activities in Nigeria.

C-Change facilitated a 10-day Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) course for 24 participants from 14 partner organizations in Kaduna, Nigeria in December 2009. A team of seven from C-Change/Nigeria and C-Change/Washington as well as Nigeria’s National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) and Safe Blood for Africa Foundation (a Nigerian organization) facilitated the course. SBCC skills assessments were conducted prior to training to help tailor activities to participants’ learning needs.

Participants divided into subgroups for supported learning and worked in small groups to reflect on change theories, conceptual models, and principles for developing evidence-driven communication for social and behavior change. On the final day, each organization presented the SBCC campaign they had developed during the course of the training.The SBCC plans were assessed on criteria that measured integration of the five key steps of the SBCC planning.

To facilitate further discussion, professional sharing, and ongoing work, the participants are using social media tools and have created a Facebook page on the SBCC network as well as a Yahoo groups listserv.

The Nigeria SBCC Network—a national network of professionals implementing SBCC programs—has also been formed. Plans are to become a professional body that will set and ensure quality SBCC standards in Nigeria and serve as a platform for exchange of SBCC ideas and resources among members. Already a steering committee has been appointed to facilitate this process. C-Change will be the temporary secretariat for the group and provide ongoing support as necessary.