The race to end AIDS and COVID-19: how edutainment and a rallying call to run for a cause boosted HIV prevention and COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Zambia

BACKGROUND: In Zambia, Adolescent Girls and Young Women AGYW (15-24 years) and men (20-34 years) are among the most vulnerable groups to HIV infection (ZAMPHIA 2019). In addition, COVID-19 has negatively affected access to HIV testing and treatment services (MOH COVID-19 Media Briefing, Jan 2022). In response to this, the USAID ZAM-Health and USAID DISCOVER-Health Projects, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National AIDS Council (NAC), designed a #Run2EndAIDS#Run4COVIDVaccination event to promote COVID-19 and HIV service uptake, primarily targeting these groups.
DESCRIPTION: Over a 14-day period between October and November 2021, the #Run2EndAIDS#Run4COVIDVaccination event attracted 7,457 runners from Zambia and 5 other countries, who collectively covered 74,410 kilometers. The event far surpassed the target of 2,000 runners. Runners took photos on their routes of health facilities that provide HIV and COVID-19 vaccination services to raise awareness about their location and submitted them with their run data. During the event, healthcare providers distributed 22,027 condoms, vaccinated 680 against COVID-19, tested 775 for HIV, initiated 193 on PrEP, and distributed 1,500 PrEP factsheets. The Zambia Ending AIDS Facebook page recorded 1,945,425 impressions, and 64,553 people were actively engaged. The event culminated in a live-streamed 'Virtual Fest', bringing music and messaging together; the momentum continued with the artists and other participants continuing to champion COVID-19 vaccination and HIV prevention.
LESSONS LEARNED: Targeted edutainment events appeal to both young and old, and effectively rally target audiences around a cause, providing correct HIV prevention and COVID-19 vaccine information and increasing knowledge levels and numbers accessing services. It is, however, crucial to harness the momentum for ongoing activism. A website or mobile app is recommended for ease of registration, to capture run-data in real-time, and to provide targeted messaging/engagement, for events that might attract a similarly overwhelming response.
CONCLUSIONS: The #Run2EndAIDS #Run4COVID-19Vaccination event empowered primarily young people, but also others, to make smart and safe choices about COVID-19 and take control of their physical, mental and sexual health. It created a group of HIV and COVID-19 prevention champions who continue to champion these causes.

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