"It Works!" Communication For HIV Prevention and Social Change in Adolescents: A Mid-Term Review, Straight Talk Foundation

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION
AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN ADOLESCENTS:

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Catharine Watson
Patrick Walugembe
Evelyn Namubiru
Isaac Kato
Tom Barton
February 2009
CRC
A MID-TERM REVIEW
Table of Contents
Abbreviations 3
Acknowledgements & Caveat 4
Executive summary 5
Chapter 1 Background and methodology 9
Chapter 2 Communication with adolescents 13

Radio
Case study: Tuvuge Rwatu radio show
Newspapers
Face-to-face communication
Case study: Maliba Straight Talk Club

Chapter 3 Focus on most-at-risk-adolescents 34
Adolescents at heightened risk
Adolescents in conflict areas
Challenges
Chapter 4 Focus on Girls 46

Married adolescents
Challenges
Chapter 5 Communication with adults 53

Parent Talk Radio
Case study: Musasa Parent Talk Club
Parent dialogues
Teacher trainings
Teacher Talk
District leaders meetings

Chapter 6 Working with partners 66
What partners think about STF
Challenges
Case study: Bugiri district
Chapter 7 Conclusions and recommendations 72

The two key objectives
Recommendations on work with adolescents
Recommendations on work with parents
Recommendations on work with teachers
Recommendations on work with partners
Appendix 1 Methodology for mid-term review 79
Bibliography 80

AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN ADOLESCENTS
A MID-TERM REVIEW
Abbreviations
2Rs Runyankole-Rukiga or Runyoro-Rutooro
4Rs Abbreviation for the above four languages
ABC Abstain, Be faithful, Use condoms
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ARVs Anti-retovirals (medicine)
ASRH Adolescent sexual and reproductive health
CBO Community-based organisation
CCT Centre coordinating tutor
CRC Creative Research and Evaluation Centre
CDC Centers for Disease Control
DHO District Health Officer
FGD Focus group discussion
GBV Gender-based violence
GYC Gulu Yoth Centre
HC Health centre
HIV Human Immune-deficiency Virus
KYC Kitgum Youth Centre
LC Local council or councillor
MoES Ministry of Education and Sports
MoH Ministry of Health
NGO Non-governmental organisation
NSP National Strategic Plan (on HIV/AIDS)
OVC Orphans and other vulnerable children
OTD Outreach and training department
PEP Post-exposure prophylaxis
PIASCY Presidential Intitiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication to Youth
PS Primary school
PSI Population Services International
P1-7 Primary class year 1 to year 7
PMTCT Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
RH Reproductive health
SMS Short message service
SP Strategic plan
SRH Sexual and reproductive health
SS Secondary school
STD/I Sexually transmitted disease/infection
ST Straight Talk
STF Straight Talk Foundation
VCT Voluntary Counselling and Testing
UDHS Uganda Demographic and Health Survey
UHSBS Uganda HIV/AID Sero-Behavioural Survey
UPE Universal Primary Education
USE Universal Secondary Education

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Acknowledgements
Straight Talk Foundation would like to acknowledge the communities that generously
hosted us for the field work of this mid-term evaluation. Over 400 people patiently
answered our questions and explained how our work fits into their world.
We thank the district officials of Bugiri, Kitgum and Kasese for their cooperation, which
was as always deeply professional and cordial.
We thank Uganda AIDS Commission for guiding our working and including us in HIV
prevention fora. We are grateful to our donors for supporting not just this mid-term
but all our work. In particular, we would like to thank Charlotte Kanstrup of Danida,
Mercy Mayebo and Alastair Robb of Dfid, Ulrike Hertel of SIDA, and Mary Oduka
and Sarah Murungi of Irish AID. Elise Ayers of USAID obtained critical funding for
us when we thought GYC might have to close. The teams at NUMAT, UNITY and
UPHOLD also sustained us.
We thank Unicef for enabling STF to expand into Karamoja in 2006-8 and CORDAID
for enabling us to reach the Bafumbira people in Kisoro. We are grateful to partners at
PSI, Save the Children, CESVI, Mvule Trust and many others for our shared efforts to
make life better for young people. Finally, we salute Michael Bunya Kalanzi, our chief
designer, for the elegant cover and layout.
Caveat
Many individuals gave their time in interviews and/or responded to the team’s
questions. They clearly shared the team’s commitment to finding ways to improve
the effectiveness of future STF efforts to support adolescents. The findings and
recommendations contained in this report are based on the team’s collective data
gathering and analysis effort. The opinions and recommendations should not be
attributed to individuals who provided some of that information.
Any errors that remain, despite all the advice and support extended, are entirely our
own.
This material is not copyrighted and may be freely reproduced, copied, translated and
disseminated as long as no profit is derived from use of this material and provided the
source is acknowledged. The Straight Talk Foundation would be interested in learning
how these materials are used and welcome any comments and feedback from users.
For more information about this study, please contact pwalugembe@

straighttalkuganda.org.
Recommended citation:
Watson, C., Walugembe P., Namubiru E., Kaato I., Barton T. It Works! Communication
for HIV prevention and social change in adolescents: a mid-term review. Straight Talk
Foundation and CRC, Kampala, Uganda: 2009.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Executive Summary
Straight Talk Foundation (STF) has worked for 15 years to better the lives of Ugandan
adolescents. Its focus has been HIV prevention and improved adolescent sexual and
reproductive health (ASRH).
STF’s approach builds on the voices and stories of young people, parents, teachers and
health workers to create “conversations” and generate solutions. STF works through
three channels: radio, print and face-to-face communication.
In 2005, STF drew up a five year Strategic Plan (SP) for 2006-2010. This committed
STF to increasing the quality and coverage of its work with adolescents, including the
especially vulnerable.
The SP also committed STF to working more with adults: parents and teachers
determine the environment around adolescents and play a key protective role,
although they can also be part of the “problem” when, for example, they force girls
into early marriage.
STF was to increase coverage by increasing work in radio, improving the distribution
of its existing newspapers for youth and teachers, and increasing its print runs in line
with demand and population growth.
STF also undertook to work strongly in local languages – both in print and radio – to
improve its reach among the majority of youth who are not comfortable with English.
This was expected to increase coverage of the least advantaged at the same time.
STF was to address the quality of its interventions by refining its processes, setting
standards, building the capacity of its staff, being more alert to best practices, and
aligning its approach with Uganda’s national HIV framework.
Targets of the new SP included increasing the language coverage of radio shows
for youth from nine languages to 15 and starting radio shows for parents in eight

A MID-TERM REVIEW
languages. Three editions of Teacher Talk and four editions of local language Straight
Talks were to be published annually. There were also targets on club visits, training
teachers, meeting communities and reaching conflict-affected youth.
A mid-term evaluation of STF’s new SP was conducted in late 2008 looking at the time
frame 2006 to mid-2008.
Coverage
On coverage, the mid-term review found radio on target. Youth radio shows were
being produced in 14 languages up from nine in 2005. Parent Talk radio shows were
being produced in nine languages, one more than the eight planned for in the SP. STF
was broadcasting on 40 radio stations in 2008 up from 27 in 2005 and had added almost
one million potential youth listeners and 3.9 million potential adult listeners.
In its rapid scale up of programming of adults, STF was prescient of the shift of HIV to
older groups and the need to address them.
On coverage, however, print was behind target. Print runs had flat lined or declined
for Young Talk and Straight Talk. Only three editions of Teacher Talk were produced
instead of the planned six. Editions of local language Straight Talks were also fewer
than planned. Fewer adolescents may have been reached through print than projected
in the SP and possibly even fewer than in the years prior to the new plan, 2004-5.
On coverage of face-to-face interactions, results were mixed. In 2007, STF opened a

new youth centre giving it access to tens of thousands of conflict-affected youth. But
fewer teachers were reached for training per year during 2006 to mid-2008 than in the
years before the new SP.
Underfunding
The primary cause of under-coverage was a shortfall in funding. In the period under
review Uganda experienced a drying up of money for HIV prevention as resources
flowed preferentially to care and treatment. The limited funds allocated to prevention
went mainly to VCT and PMTCT: only about 5% went to mass media and behaviour
change work. STF suffered from this trend, to the detriment of young people and HIV
prevention.
STF’s new SP was costed at about 5.5 billion Ugshs/year. But in the period 2006 to
mid-2008 STF received about 3 billion Ugshs/year. As a result, print and face-to-face
communication were severely under-funded, receiving just a third of what they needed
for the tasks outlined in the new SP.
Quality
Despite this shortage of funds, the mid-term review found that STF has met its target
of continuously improving quality. This was determined through interviews and focus
group discussions (FGDs) with potential STF beneficiaries.
For the review, STF researchers worked with adolescents, parents, teachers, health
workers, local leaders and STF partners such as CBOs in three districts: Bugiri, Kasese
and Kitgum.
STF’s work emerged as a fundamental light in the lives of young people, a beacon that

A MID-TERM REVIEW
guided young people, teachers and often parents on sexual health, HIV prevention
and beyond to issues such as relationships with parents and attitudes to work. STF
newspapers emerged as the main and often only material used by CBOs and national
NGOs in HIV prevention with youth.
Young people attributed behaviour change in their lives to STF work. Similarly, adults
believed that young people exposed to STF materials are better behaved and informed.
These positive results mirror what was found by the Population Council/STF study in
2005-6, which identified an association between exposure to STF media products and
greater knowledge and safer behaviours and attitudes in adolescents.
Adolescents and adults described STF radio shows and newspapers as

straightforward, interactive and comprehensive (broaching a wide range of subjects).
The word “only” was a frequent qualifier about STF’s work, as in:
“STF print materials are the only interventions we have for young people on the
island. Young people who are beneficiaries of Straight Talk are well behaved.”
NGO manager, Sigulu Islands, Lake Victoria
“In our area, STF is the only programme targeting young people. STF has preached
the gospel to prompt behaviour change. It has prompted abstinence and condom
use. There are young people who come for VCT because of STF.”
Health worker, Banda HC III, Bugiri
“There is only the Straight Talk radio show and Kitgum Youth Centre, which gives
free testing.” James, male, out-of-school, Kitgum
A review of newspapers and radio shows produced by STF in this period found that
STF had reached out not just to generic “young people” but had addressed especially
vulnerable groups, such as adolescents in fishing communities, adolescents living with
HIV, married adolescents and adolescents in conflict areas such as Karamoja. Some of
these groups had been flagged as important by the SP while others emerged as critical
as the period under review progressed.
Adolescent girls suffer particularly acute indignities, and STF is taking action on this.
An analysis of STF newspapers and radio shows produced from 2006 to mid-2008
found that girls’ voices were as much represented as those of boys. It also found that
many STF newspapers and radio shows took pains start a conversation about the
gender norms that put males and females, but particularly girls, at risk of HIV and
other life crises.
Challenges
Despite the above positive findings, STF and communities face enormous challenges in
the pursuit of better and safer environments for young people.
These challenges range from the logistical to the insuperable. STF will always, for
example, struggle to distribute newspapers to remote communities, but it can do better
with determination and adequate resources such as a vehicle. On the other hand, STF
cannot do much to address profound rural poverty, although it can help young people
and parents think critically about their lives and move forward constructively.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
The mid-term review found dissatisfaction among readers and listeners about STF’s
slow response to their letters. It found some concern among some parents that STF
might “spoil” their girls with open talk on reproductive health. It found that some
readers felt that STF gave insufficient coverage to very rural youth.
However, above all, the mid-term review found a hunger for “more” — more copies
of the papers, more visits from STF, more regular Teacher Talks, more newspapers in
more languages. This finding affirms the value of STF’s approach and the need for STF
to press forward with its interventions.
Way forward
As a result of this mid-term, STF will take the following steps, among others.
To address coverage:
• Seek to demonstrate to donors the importance of communication for social change

as a key to HIV prevention and mitigation, and thereafter obtain adequate funding
to fully execute its Strategic Plan. This amounts to approximately $1.25 million in
additional funding a year (approximately 2.5 billion Ugshs).
• Seek cost savings within current budget to immediately increase print runs of
Straight Talk and Young Talk, which had stagnated at 2004 levels, despite population
growth.
• Immediately reduce spending on the English Straight Talk radio show, which costs
more per adolescent reached than the local language shows. Transfer the savings
into new radio shows in one or two additional languages, e.g., Alur and Japadhola,
to reach populations currently isolated by language. Aim to be broadcasting in 19
languages for youth by 2010.
• In view of the changes in Uganda’s HIV epidemic, with most new infections
occurring in adults, position the Parent Talk radio show as the main vehicle for the
complex conversations that are needed to unpack the drivers of HIV transmission
in this age group, such as alcohol and multiple concurrent partners. Seek funding to
increase the number of languages in which Parent Talk is aired from nine to 15.
• Ensure that funding allows the regular publication of Teacher Talk and local
language Straight Talk by demonstrating need and impact to donors.
To address quality:
• Ensure that STF’s work continues to be based on evidence, best practices and
the demographics of Uganda with, for example, ample representation of rural
adolescents and a strong focus on girls.
• Ensure that STF’s work is in line with Uganda’s national HIV/AIDS plans and
strategies, working towards the same goals, such as increased age of first sex.
• Systematically address most-at-risk adolescents, particularly girls.
• Continue to strive to develop a clear understanding of gender and how to address it
systematically.
• Continually refine STF’s face-to-face approaches for teachers, parents and categories
of vulnerable adolescents, such as married girls, out-of-school boys and HIV-
positive youth.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Chapter 1
Background and
methodology
Background
Straight Talk Foundation (STF) exists to bring about constructive social change in the
lives of adolescents and the important adults in their lives: parents and teachers.
Although it officially became an NGO in 1997, STF originated as a newspaper, Straight

Talk, which was started for in-school older adolescents in 1993. Thus STF has a 15-year
track record of communication for social change, with a focus on adolescent sexual and
reproductive health (ASRH) and prevention of HIV.
STF works with adolescents through three media: print, radio and face to face
(interpersonal).
Under print, it publishes Young Talk for primary school pupils, Straight Talk for
secondary and some tertiary students, local language Straight Talks for out-of-school
youth, and Teacher Talk for primary teachers.
In radio, it produces Straight Talk shows for youth and Parent Talk shows for adults.
These appear in multiple languages.
Under face-to-face, STF has numerous interventions: peer education trainings and
systems, teacher trainings, parent dialogues, community fairs, Straight Talk clubs and
youth centers.
A large survey conducted jointly by STF, Population Council and Family Health
International evaluated STF in 2005-6. This study surveyed 2100 unmarried adolescents
aged 10-19 in six districts. After controlling for confounding factors such as age

A MID-TERM REVIEW
and schooling status, the study found an association between

exposure to STF mass media materials and safer behaviours and
attitudes. This association exhibited a dose response: the more an
adolescent was exposed, the stronger the effect. The full report of
the findings is available on http://straight-talk.or.ug
With this confirmation of STF’s core approach, in 2005 STF

began preparing a new Strategic Plan (SP) to run from January
2006 through December 2010.
This SP laid out the following strategic directions:
1. Focus more on the majority of adolescents -

By working more in Ugandan languages
By working more with the out-of-school
By increasing work in radio
By increasing its focus on rural areas and conflict areas
By remembering to address and encourage girls in all its work
By ensuring that its activities reach adolescents living in poverty
2. Focus on protective factors for adolescents -

By increasing its efforts with teachers schools and MOES
By starting a new effort with parents
By working more with communities, including faith-based groups
3. Focus not just on keeping adolescents safe in adolescence but preparing them
to stay safe in young adulthood -
By providing comprehensive sexuality education
By developing a discourse on how to keep marriage safe
4. Establish itself as a world best practice in ASRH -

By documenting what it does
By demonstrating that it “works”
By developing a model that is replicable
By conducting research and publishing findings
These strategic directions gave rise to four objectives.
1. To continuously improve the quality and coverage of STF’s communication

projects for adolescents.
2. To increase the existing and to initiate new communication projects with adults
and improve their quantity and coverage.
3. To improve and expand STF monitoring, evaluation , research and advocacy.
4. To develop and sustain the organisational capacity of STF.
10 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

A MID-TERM REVIEW
This mid-term evluation focuses on the two outward-looking objectives, Objective 1

and 2: reaching adolescents and adults through communication for social change.
Financial background
Having written the new SP for 2006-10, STF sought funds to implement it. Despite
STF’s strong performance in the preceding years, this was not easy.
In the period 2006 to mid-2008, Uganda experienced a drying up of money for HIV
prevention as resources increasingly flowed to care and treatment. STF suffered from
this trend, to the detriment of young people.
The SP was costed at roughly 5.6 to 6.5 billion Ugshs a year. In 2007, for example, the
Plan forecast a budget of 5.96 billion Ugshs. However, STF received 3.06 billion Ugshs.
This background of financial constraint needs to be considered alongside the mid-term
findings.
As will be seen in Chapters 2-5, radio has come closest to reaching the targets set in the
SP, with nine shows for parents up and running (one more than the eight planned) and
14 shows for youth (one less than the 15 planned). Not coincidentally, this is the STF
stream that has been best funded; in 2007 radio received 891 million Ugshs of the 921
million Ugshs called for by the SP. Thus, where STF had the funding during 2006-mid
2008, it delivered results.
However, print limped along financially from 2006 to mid 2008. It received 451 million
Ugshs in 2007 for Young Talk, Straight Talk, local language Straight Talk and Teacher
Talk. This was 35% of the 1.3 billion Ugshs planned for under the SP. The result has
been declining or static print runs and sporadic appearances of local language Straight
Talks and Teacher Talk.
Financially, face-to-face communication (school visits, teacher trainings, health fairs,

clubs, peer education, youth centres) also fared poorly, receiving in 2007 about 350
million Ugshs (37%) of the 930 million Ugshs it needed for the activities outlined in
the SP. Not surprisingly, the mid-term researchers found adolescents and communities
lamenting that they rarely see staff from STF.
To be sure, STF could have allocated its funds differently, spending more on print and
face-to-face. It actively chose to favour radio: in 2007, fully 53% of STF’s funds went
to radio while just 20% went to face-to-face communication and 27% to print. This
is a reversal of the 2004/5 picture where print consumed over half of STF’s budget.
But because of its commitment to maximise coverage, especially of less advantaged
adolescents, STF could not justify the dominance of print in a country with low literacy
and where many adolescents, including most older adolescent girls, are out of school.
Also, the Population Council cost analysis found that STF was spending just 0.10 US
cents to reach an adolescent per year via radio in contrast to 0.25 US cents via print.
Ultimately, the contraction in spending on print and face-to-face communication

meant that many adolescents did not get what they needed. As noted in the Population
Council study, the three media are reinforcing and collectively bring about more
behaviour change. The ideal would have been a fully-funded Strategic Plan.

AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN ADOLESCENTS 11
A MID-TERM REVIEW
Methodology for mid-term review

The mid-term review employed a rapid ethnographic approach to understand
the subjective in-depth meanings that STF beneficiaries attach to its work. The
participatory design was supported by a consultant. Field work was conducted by the
STF M&E team, which worked with over 400 respondents in the districts of Bugiri,
Kasese and Kitgum, as described in the chart below. The external consultant provided
technical support to a participatory process of design, analysis and writing. For more
details on the methodology, see Appendix 1.

District Sub counties In-depth interviews Focus group discussions
Bugiri • Municipality Parents-12 Youth-8 (95 young people met)

• Buyinja Teachers-9 Teachers-3 (9 teachers met)

• Banda Stakeholders-6

• Buleesa
• Nankoma

Kitgum • Namokora Youth-2 Youth-7 (80 youth met)

• Lokung Teachers-3 Parents-3 (30 parents met)
• Kitgum Town Council Stakeholders-4

• Labongo Akwang
Kasese • Kasese Teachers-16 Youth-10 (105 youth met)

• Maliba Stakeholders-10 Parents-3 (45 parents met)

• Musasa

Totals 3 Districts visited Parents-12 Youth-25 (280 youth met)

12 sub counties Youth-2
Teachers-28 Parents-6 (75 parents met)

Stakeholders-20 Teachers-3 (9 teachers met)
Patrick Walugembe, M&E manager for STF (left), interviews

young men in Kasese.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Chapter 2
Communication with
adolescents
What the Strategic Plan said: To continuously improve the quality and coverage of
STF’s communication projects for adolescents.
STF’s SP 2006-2010 committed STF to reach more adolescents, to reach them “better”
and to make special efforts to reach vulnerable adolescents who were either neglected
or at particular risk of HIV and poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
Chapters 3 and 4 look at how far STF went in meeting the needs of these
most-at-risk young people. This chapter is concerned with whether coverage of
adolescents improved in the years 2006 to mid-2008: in other words, were more
adolescents reached? It is also concerned with the question: were they reached well
(quality)?
STF planned to increase coverage primarily by:

• working more in Ugandan languages — because most adolescents and
particularly the most-at-risk adolescents do not understand English.
• increasing work in radio as Uganda’s most penetrative media.
To answer the coverage question and also investigate quality and impact, STF
evaluators asked adolescents and selected adult stakeholders in Kasese, Kitgum and
Bugiri districts about STF’s presence in their locality.
Since STF works through three channels — radio, print and face-to-face interventions
– respondents were asked whether they had been exposed to them. If they had been
exposed – and virtually all of them had – STF then asked them about what they had

A MID-TERM REVIEW
learnt and if STF’s work had led to significant change in their lives and communities.
Respondents were also asked about other ASRH programmes in their community.
Radio
The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS 2006) showed that radio is the
most widely-accessed medium of communication. According to the UDHS, each week
85% of boys and 75% of girls aged 15-19 listen to radio, in contrast to 21% who read a
newspaper and 14% who watch television. In addition, the 2005-6 study by Population
Council and STF found that, in the districts where STF had a local language radio
show, 76% of 10-19 year olds had listened to it. This was in contrast to 13% in districts
where there was only an English ST radio show. The same study found that STF
spends 0.10 US$ per year per adolescent reached by its local language shows, making
these shows STF’s most economical intervention.
The SP 2006-2010 set STF the target of reaching 15 radio languages for adolescents
by 2008. STF missed this by one language. From 2006 to mid-2008, STF introduced
five new radio shows for adolescents in previously under-served languages: Lusoga,
Kupsabiny, Lukhonzo, Nga’karimojong and Runyoro-Rutooro.
Thus STF jumped from broadcasting for youth in nine languages in 2005 to 14 by 2008,
gaining access to almost one million new potential listeners aged 15-24 in the process.
In early 2005, STF had 4,136,759 potential listeners in this age group; in 2009 it has
5,053,317.
To manage the increase in shows, STF also increased the number of radio stations
airing its shows -- from 27 in 2005 to 30 in 2006 to 33 in 2007 to 40 in 2008 (dropping
some poor performing stations along the way).
Wilberforce Musimana interviews a school girl in Bugiri for the

Lusamia ST radio show.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Language Districts covered Date Region in Potential

launched Uganda listeners
15-24 yrs
English Countrywide 1999 National 1,300,320
Lwo Oyam, Apac, Lira, Dokolo, Amuru, 2000 Centre north 500,237
Gulu, Kitgum, Pader
4Rs Mbarara, Rukungiri, Isingiro, 2001 West 1,123,250
Ibanda, Kawenge, Kabale, Kiruhura, (600,000)*
Bushenyi, Ntungamo
Ateso Kumi, Pallisa, Amuria, Soroti, 2002 North East 298,295

Katakwi, Kabermaido
Lugbara Arua, Koboko, Yumbe 2003 North west 194,375
Lusamia Busia, Bugiri, Tororo 2003 South East 133,072
Lumasaba Mbale, Manafa, Sironko, Bududa 2004 East 199,766
Luganda Kayunga, Mukono, Luweero, 2004 Centre 784,617
Kalangala, Wakiso, Kampala,
Masaka, Rakai, Nakasongola,
Mubende, Mpigi, Ssembabule
Lukhonzo Kasese, Bundibugyo 2004 West 126,077

Kupsabiny** Bukwo, Kapchorwa 2005 Far East 34,415
Lusoga** Jinja, Mayuge, Bugiri, Namutumba, 2005 Central East 206,893
Kamuli, Kaliro, Iganga
Karimojong Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Abim and 2007 North East 172,000

Kotido
Rufumbira Kisoro 2007 South West 80,000
Runyoro- Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Kiboga, 2008 West 423,250*
Rutoro Kabarole, Kyenjojo
*In 2008 STF split the “4Rs” radio show into a Runyankore/Rukiga show and a Rutooro/Runyoro
shows. The 4Rs show had combined four related languages from western Uganda.
**Though Lusoga and Kupsabinny were started in 2005, they are counted as falling into the 2006-mid
2008 period because they were not on air by the time the Strategic Plan went to print.
This expansion of languages has also increased STF’s presence on the ground.
For example, in 2007, STF radio staff visited 75 of Uganda’s 80 districts, reaching
328 villages. In this way, radio - a mass medium - also increases face-to-face
communication.
What do adolescents and stakeholders think about ST radio?

STF efforts to increase coverage and quality of its communication with adolescents
through radio, particularly in local languages, has had a positive impact on adolescents
and their communities.
The mid-term evaluators asked respondents about their main sources of SRH and
HIV/AIDS knowledge. In all the districts, adolescent and adult respondents singled
out the Straight Talk local language radio shows (the Lwo show, Kitgum; Lusoga or
Lusamia shows, Bugiri; Lukhonzo show, Kasese) and praised them for shaping the
lives of young people.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
2005
2008
Respondents said that the radio shows were a main source of ASRH information for
in- and out-of-school adolescents, filling a major gap, not only for young people, but
also for key adults in their lives such as teachers and parents. Respondents highlighted
show content ranging from HIV/AIDS, VCT, abstinence and condom use to the
importance of education, respect for parents and poverty eradication.
Adolescents
Adolescent respondents noted the radio show content, what it attempts to do, the
audience for whom it is aired and often the station on which it is aired.
“Yes, I know about the STF radio show, and it’s called ‘Erikania Okwenene’ and I usually
hear it on Messiah radio at around 6:15 pm on Sunday in the Lukhonzo language, which
is a local language here in Kasese district.” Tito, 18, male, Kasese
The radio shows were often recognised as the only source of age-specific knowledge
for adolescents.
“I think STF is the only organisation having a radio show for young people. Perhaps
other shows for young people are there, but not known. Here we have general educative
shows. Young people end up listening to issues, which are not their concern.” FGD,
Bugiri

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Respondents said that the Straight Talk radio show was distinct from other shows
in that it addresses a specific age group rather than youth generally. “Youth” shows
usually address individuals aged up to age 35 and emphasise matters like child birth
and family planning. Though important, these may not meet the needs of most 15-19
year olds. In contrast, Straight Talk radio shows were seen as adolescent-appropriate.
“We have the Straight Talk radio and papers for us young people. On this programme,
they only talk about issues for people of our ages. You will never find information for
adults…. This is why we enjoy reading and listening to the Straight Talk show. Straight
Talk is the only organisation offering services for the young people only.” FGD, mixed
gender, Bugiri
Some communities respect the STF radio show for being part of a transformative and
comprehensive attempt to address young people.
“Yes, it’s on Messiah radio. The show is meant to transform the young who are engaged
in life that can’t pave their way to development, like refusal to go back to school.”
Masereka Mbusa, 23, male, out-of-school, Kasese
In line with this, some young people reported that the show inspired them to work
hard in whatever they do, whether struggling to get an education or to work their way
out of poverty, rather than succumbing to “idleness” or sex for material gain.
“One important thing I learnt is stopping bad behaviour like sexual immorality and
laziness. I used to hate working even when I am not in school. But after hearing why
we must work so as to be successful and that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, I was
(so) perturbed and disappointed in myself that I changed, and today I am a very hard
working boy and morally upright.” Paul, 17, male, Kasese.
“I have learnt how to become independent and not ask anything from my friends. When
you don’t have (something) and boys give you, they feel that you need to pay back and if
you do not have money, they ask for sex.” Sharon, 18, out-of-school, Kitgum town
Adolescents thanked STF for demystifying rumours about HIV/AIDS and working to
prevent HIV. Many reported reducing unsafe behaviours as a result listening to the
show.
“Personally, from the show I have learnt that AIDS is a killer disease and has no cure.
That alone scares me a lot and gets me guarded. I used to be very careless and a
player. I do not know why I used not to value my life. Shows like this one have helped
me so much and I listen to them a lot. Since then I have put aside immorality and tried
abstinence. When I fail with that, I now use condoms.” John, 19, male, out-of-school,
Kasese
“Having learnt that AIDS is a killer and can be got from any female, I have learnt and
resorted to saving my little earnings other than giving them to girls who might come in
to end my life.” Mumbere 18, male, Kasese
Many young people reported that the shows had taught them about abstinence, as a
way to avoid bad ASRH outcomes and do better at school. The following quote is from
a boy who listens to ST radio shows on three stations in at least two languages.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“Because of Straight Talk on Radio Messiah, Capital and VOT, I have been able to know
that abstinence is the only way to go for you to stay and finish school. Then you can be
able to get a woman of your own choice…a better woman for marriage.” Male, pupil,
Kasese
Others reported a determination only to have protected sex.
“I can now use a condom if I need it. I cannot allow anyone to convince me not to use a
condom because I know it is my life.” Lillian, Kitgum
“I get my information from the radio every Sunday at 6:30pm on Messiah. It is a

Straight Talk show. And when I meet friends at work, we talk about it. Even if we joke
or make fun of it, at least we share it. I have tried to do what I hear. For instance, if I
must meet a girl, I use a condom to avoid AIDS.” Joseph, 20, male, Kasese
Adolescents often said that they had learnt the value of VCT. Some had tested as a
result of the radio shows, while others were pondering doing so.
“I used to fear to go for VCT but now I know I can go freely without fear. So I have now
tested and know where I am. The fear was because when they could find me positive,
what do I do next?” Richard, 19, male, Kitgum
“I have heard from the radio that AIDS kills and have always tried to help my friends
in picking interest in listening to the Sunday afternoon radio show called Omukania
Okwenene. Because we have lived carelessly before, especially me, I fear testing. If I
found out that I am positive, I think it may be more devastating than now when I do not
know.” Mumbere, 18, male, Kasese
Every show mentions multiple local health units that provide VCT. An encouraging
finding was that some adolescents said that they had learnt where they to test.
“The show has educated me about HIV testing and where I could get it. Babirye (STF
Lusoga journalist) told us that it’s very good to know our HIV status to protect ourself.
Last year I lost a lot of weight. I had on and off malaria and missed school. So since
Babirye encouraged us, I decided to test for HIV at the Bugiri Reproductive Health
Bureau. I was happy when I tested negative because I was scared about my sickness.”
Female, adolescent, Bugiri
The shows have made some girls aware of girl-boy dynamics and gender realities --
important factors in their heightened risk of HIV.
“There are boys who demand for sex but on radio they told us relationships are not all
about sex but trust and commitment. So before anything I will go and test my blood. I
will not give myself to a boy before we are tested.” Gladys, 17, female, Kitgum
“The show tells us that it is bad to have many lovers (as) they can lead you to AIDS.
Boys can chase you until they get what they want, then run away. So it is better to stay
with one without sex to see if they will run away. I used to have many boy lovers but now
I ignore them and concentrate on my books. Boys have many tricks, and I heard some
stories on radio so now I do not want to be a victim of AIDS and pregnancy.” Lucy, 18,
female, in school, Kitgum

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Boys also said that the shows had taught them new and safer ways to relate with girls.
“The show has taught me how I can associate with girls without the intention of having
sex with them.” Elly, male, Kasese
“I have learnt to handle people, mostly the girls, who can come and con you . But me I
know how to handle such girls. I talk to them and advise them to be friends or stop what
they are doing.” Kenneth, male, in school, Kitgum town
Some respondents reported that as a result of the show, they took other steps to reduce
risks, such as avoiding drugs, alcohol, bad peers and going out after dark.
“The show encouraged me to adopt safer behaviours. I no longer take alcohol and move
at night in town.” Male adolescent, Bugiri
“When I listened to the ST radio show, I picked a story that if a young person is involved
in bad peer groups, he will destroy his life because it involves alcoholism, smoking and
other acts that can cause harm to my body. So I learnt and cannot practice such.”
Mumbere, 16, male, Kasese
“It has taught me not to join bad groups which involve themselves in eating marijuana,
going to discos, moving at night whereby you may find yourself being raped and at a risk
of HIV/AIDS.” Joseline, 17, female, Kasese
Adolescents appreciated the shows for building their knowledge about body changes
and puberty. For girls, menstruation is a major concern.
“I get the information from the radio. Thereafter I share it with my parents, especially
mummy, to explain to me well what they were meaning, like going for periods, the way it
comes and you can handle it.” Jennifer, 15, female, Kasese
Adolescents liked the “straight” voice of the show, which they said talked about real
life situations in a way that was open and educative.
“The show talks about things the way they are. It does not hide anything. It’s different
from shows that present issues in parables. We sometimes fail to understand such
messages because we are not very good at parables in the local language. Yet we need
that information.” FGD, adolescents, Bugiri
Adolescents felt that the shows have helped parents to understand them better. Some
said that the show makes up for parents who are too shy or busy to talk to them.
“The show teaches us about HIV, early marriage consequences and education. We have
learnt a lot of things that our parents had never told us. Our parents don’t even have
time, and others just fear discussing things connected to sex.” Male adolescent, Bugiri
One said that the show had improved his parent’s unsupportive stance on child rights.
“It helped us on matters like children’s rights being violated by parents. This happened
when my young sister was denied food for two days because of indiscipline but was
transformed when I started listening to Straight Talk shows on Messiah radio.” Male,
17, Kasese

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Many adolescents said the shows had improved their attitudes towards their parents.
“I picked a message from a boy to respect my parents and do what they advise me to do
as their son. Disobedience of parents is not good so I should leave it.” Kenneth, male,
in school, Kitgum town
“I learnt that my parents still have to guide me when I go wrong in terms of misbehaving
towards them and my friends.” Feshal, 16, male
“I listen to my parents more because they have more advice. For example, my mother
has gone through many things and can advise me as a girl on women issues.” Betty, 18,
female, Kitgum
Some claimed that, after gaining knowledge from the shows, they confidently went on
to ask for more advice from parents and to share what they had heard with friends.
“The show has helped me talk about anything freely without any fear. When I get good
information, I share it with friends. Sometimes I approach my parents for further
explanations.” Female pupil, Bugiri
At least one girl felt that just listening to the show was sometimes enough to solve her
problem.
“The radio show has done a lot of guidance and counseling for us young people. If you
are a regular listener, all your questions get answered and there is no need to bother
approaching adults for advice. You feel relieved when you get an answer to your worries.
I am telling you that there is a time when you are haunted by a problem and don’t feel
like sharing it to anybody.” Female, in school, Bugiri
The radio shows are a trigger for dialogue, helping adolescents to broach problems to
each other.
“I get information from the Radio Messiah on Sunday at 6.30 p.m. I always share it with
my friends such that if one of my friends did not hear about it, it would be also taught
from there.” Mbambu Loice, 15, female, in school, Kasese
What do adult stakeholders think about the STF radio shows?

Parents, teachers and local officials reported that Straight Talk radio shows had helped
them, as key members of the immediate social environment of young people, to know
more about adolescence. One LC chairman spoke of ST radio in the context of the
many STF efforts for his community, including also newspapers and clubs.
“I know Straight Talk in three ways. First, I see Straight Talk newspapers in schools,
both primary and secondary, which I think is good. Second, I know that Straight Talk
has two radio shows on Sunday for young people and parents called Erikania Okwenene
and Omukania wa babuthi. I am a parent so I listen to the parent one, although I
sometimes listen to the one for young people. I find all of them useful. Third, I know
Straight Talk from the Maliba ST club from the other village.. Those boys are doing
some good work that I feel we as leaders have failed to do.” LC Chairman, male,
Kyanya, Kasese

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Adults view STF’s use of the local language as key to its success. One teacher
appreciated STF broadcasting in Lukhonzo as a “right decision”.
“The radio show especially Erikania Okwenene is very good for the young people and
community because it is in the local language. In this sub-county there are more young
people who are out-of-school and not comfortable with English than those who are in
school and understand the newspapers. As a teacher, I feel that you made the right
decision to have this radio show. ” Teacher, Maliba, Kasese
Adolescents depend on teachers for advice and inspiration. But many teachers feel
poorly prepared for this role. Several praised the ST radio show for being the first
adolescent-specific show and providing RH information that teachers can share with
young people.
“Before we did not have a show that addresses young people specifically. Erikania
Okwenene does this. It involves young people and you hear their voices. Also, Biira
(STF radio journalist) is known to the people here. You can see from how people are
receiving you that they like the show and are benefiting from it.” Teacher, male, Maliba,
Kasese
”I have listened to it and my students refer a lot to it during our health discussions.
It is a very nice show for those who are in school and those who are not. It is in
Lukhonzo and am sure this is one of the reasons why the people like it.” Teacher, male,
Maliba SS, Kasese
Challenges with radio

Poor radio reception is an obstacle to coverage in some parts of Uganda. In Kitgum,
Awelowe was said to have a weak signal. In Kasese, adolescents also reported
reception problems.
“We get radios of Congo that communicate in French but you cannot get Messiah FM
properly. It is because we stay behind the mountain.” Emma, 16, female, Kasese
In addition, a handful of beneficiaries said that the radio show is too short. A few
complained that the show does not give them a chance to call in to ask questions.
Similarly, some adolescents complained that it is hard to write to STF and get timely
feedback: some letters contain immediate problems that need urgent answers but STF
takes too long to respond. Letter writers also face barriers, for example, little funds to
send letters or reach places where letters can be dropped, like radio stations and ST
club offices. Some adolescents, such as married girls, do not write because they do not
have time. Non-literate listeners lack the skills to write.
For some, the time of broadcast is inconvenient. FGDs heatedly discussed the ‘best’
time. Young peoples’ preferences seem to differ greatly. In Kasese, some out-of-school
youth argued that their best time to listen is after work at about 9pm.
“May be something should also be done about the time. It should be moved from 6 to 9
in the night because at 6 some of us youth are still working or hanging out and for the
girls busy in the kitchens making supper: 9 pm is better as at least a good number is
retired by this time.” Joseph, male, Kasese

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Others preferred early evening. Some adolescents, particularly males, argued that
early evening does not suit girls because they have domestic chores; others argued that
girls will always be occupied, so there is no need to adjust the show time to meet their
schedules.
“I think the show should stay the way it is and just increase on the minutes. It is a
Sunday and many people should be free. The girls of course will always be busy, even at
9pm.” Males, FGD, Kasese
Another challenge is that other radio shows occasionally give conflicting messages. In
Kasese, a “culturalist” went on air to argue with STF messages on abstinence.
“There was a culturalist who came in to show the public that ABC does not work. He
even paid to prove that abstinence doesn’t work and is not a good idea. We had to
refund his money because he was in a way criticising the information that we have been
preaching to the public about Straight Talk and abstinence.” Manager, male, Radio
Messiah, Kasese
Many complications and misunderstandings arise from the prizes STF gives to radio
listeners.
“People write in and think that they have won or indeed have won but claim that their
presents are not given to them. Others think that when their names are read on air,
their presents are automatically here, so they ride all the way here from far [without
counting] the cost of their journey. A boy who heard that he had won (spent) 14,000/=
to reach here. Then he found that he had won pens. We had to geive him our own money
to transport him back since he had none.” Manager, male, Radio Messiah, Kasese
The effort with which this radio manager sorts out the problems of prize winners
suggests that the Straight Talk show is of value to both the station and its listeners.
Case Study: The Tuvuge Rwatu Radio Show

This show was introduced in 2007 in the geographically and linguistically-isolated
district of Kisoro. Cold and hilly, this district lies along the borders with Rwanda and
Congo in southwest Uganda. This area has the highest age at first sex in Uganda at
18.4 for girls and 19.4 for boys compared to the national averages of 16.9 and 18.1.
However, before STF started its Lufumbira radio show, young people there had
minimal sources of ASRH information. The Population Council/STF study (2007)
showed that only 13.7% of 15-19 year olds in Kisoro had listened to any STF show,
whether the English show or the 4Rs radio show aired from neighbouring districts.
In line with its strategic objectives and this background, STF started broadcasting in
Lufumbira.
Achievements of the show

A survey in 2008 of 323 youth in Kisoro found that the radio show had increased
exposure to an STF radio show by a factor of five. Listenership to any STF radio
show in this area had increased from 13.7% among 15-19 year olds to 70% in the
same age group. Asked what they had learnt from the show, 54% of the youth
mentioned abstinence. Others mentioned protective measures such as condom use
and testing for HIV.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
A total of 35% of young people interviewed reported forming or joining a club that
enhances peer-to-peer dialogue as a result of the show. Overall, STF’s radio shows
“Tuvuge Rwatu”, “Tusheeshure” (from adjacent districts) and the English radio
show were the three most cited sources of ASRH information for young people in
Kisoro.
Lufumbira journalist Bernard Sabiti records the stories

of a group of adolescents in Kisoro.
Newpapers
Newspapers are STF’s original medium, pre-dating radio by six years. Straight Talk was
launched in 1993. The SP 2006-2010 envisioned that STF would continue to produce
Straight Talk and Young Talk, as well as one issue a year of a local language Straight
Talk in four languages: Lwo, Ateso, Luganda and Runyankole-Rukiga-Runyoro-
Rutooro (4Rs).
Each year in the period 2006 to mid-2008, the print department produced roughly
2 million copies of Straight Talk and 3 million copies of Young Talk. These were
distributed, as planned, to about 25,000 institutions: schools, health units, NGOs,
clubs, district offices, CBOs, churches, mosques, prisons and police posts. As the SP
foresaw, STF improved its distribution system, e.g., by introducing SMS texting to alert
recipients that the bundles had arrived in their districts.
Despite these achievements, STF experienced two disappointments. First, STF had
insufficient funds to increase print runs: at some points the print run even declined,
despite annual population growth of 3.4% and a higher annual rise in adolescents in
school.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Straight Talk 260,000 260,000 260,000 230,000 230,000 260,000
Young Talk 430,000 430,000 300,000 250,000 372,000 430,000
Total/month 690,000 690,000 560,000 480,000 602,000 690,000
Second, after 2005 STF failed to obtain sufficient funds to run a vigorous programme
of local language Straight Talk. In 2004 STF produced local language Straight Talk in six
local languages, each language two or three times a year.
From 2006, however, STF was unable to do even the scaled-down local language
approach it laid out in the SP (work in four languages, one paper a year). This
reduction in local language print reduced STF’s print coverage among the rural, poor
and out-of-school adolescents.
Year 2005 2006 2007 2008

No. of local language
Straight Talks published 5 2 4
Languages Lwo, Ateso, Runyankole- 0 Lwo, Runyankole-

Rukiga, Runyoro-Rutoro, Ateso Rukiga, Luganda,
Luganda Lwo, Ateso
Because of these two setbacks, unlike with radio, overall coverage of adolescents
through print may have stagnated. However, judging from reader response and the
mid-term findings, the quality of STF’s papers remained high, and the papers remained
not only impactful but often the only HIV prevention/ASRH material available for
communities.
What adolescents and stakeholders think about STF newspapers
Adolescents
The mid-term evaluators asked adolescents what they knew about the STF papers,
what they had learnt from them and what actions they had taken as a result. Like the
Straight Talk radio shows, Straight Talk and Young Talk emerged as a major source of
ASRH information.
Adolescents who read STF papers said they had learnt about issues ranging
from abstinence, love and relationships to the need to respect their parents. The
comprehensive nature of the papers appears to appeal to youth, as a girls’ FGD in
Bugiri revealed:
“Yes, Young Talk is good to read and interesting. It teaches us the importance of
helping each other at school, home and on the way. It encourages us to respect our
teachers, parents, friends and ourselves. It talks about the STDs, such as syphilis
and AIDS, and how to prevent them. It promotes good leadership in school from
administration. It talks about the monthly period and how to keep clean. It teaches us
about our environment, how to preserve it. You learn what you did not know before, for
example, the reproductive health system. Young Talk promotes good relationships among
pupils at school.” FGD, females, Waluwerere PS, Bugiri

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Respondents also appreciated Straight Talk and Young Talk for being interactive and
answering their questions in the Dear SYFA column.
“The paper has a section called “SYFA” . You can read a question that is exactly your
problem or worry. You can get the advice right away without contacting anybody.”
Female, mixed FGD, Dede SS, Bugiri
“Through Straight Talk you are able to learn about problems of young people from
different areas of Uganda. We read these questions and also get answers to our own
problems.” Female, in school, Bugiri
“Last year I had a problem of candidiasis. I feared going to the hospital, thinking it was
an STD. Later I read about a girl who had the same signs and a counsellor referred
her to a clinic. I got confidence to visit a clinic and got treatment for it.” Female, in
school, Bugiri
As with the radio shows, STF newspapers provide information about puberty and
body changes. Girls associated the newspapers with learning about menstruation.
“Young Talk has helped me to attend school everyday and participate in class. I ask
my mother questions about menstruation when I encounter a problem.” Girl, FGD,
Waluwerere PS, Bugiri Town
“When I was in primary I could have my periods unknowingly whereby other pupils would
laugh at me that I have blood on my dress. After I read Young Talk and listened to the
radio shows, then I know methods to use and how to count my days for the periods.”
Mercy, 15, female, Bugiri
“I have learnt that having menstruation for two days is normal. Because I had a fear.
My friends would say that I should go to hospital for check up. When I read Straight
Talk I found that I was normal and felt comfortable. I told my friends what I had read.”
Female, in school, Kasese
Adolescents reported reading about early marriage, particularly as it affects staying in

school.
“I have learnt that early marriage is not good for young people. We cannot provide the
care and support needed in a marital relationship. We need to stay in school and get
married at a time when we are adults and have a job.” Male, FGD, in school, Bugiri
“I have learnt that when you get married when you are still young you get problems
in delivering a child whereby they remove your womb. It also leads to drop out from
school.” Biira, 18, female, Maliba, Kasese
Adolescents said the newspapers had taught them how to behave in relationships.
“My sister had a boyfriend who gave her money. But when I told her what Straight Talk
teaches about the problems that can come from a boyfriend, she stopped. She is now
continuing in secondary.” Silvia, 16, in school, Kasese

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Another adolescent said that Young Talk provoked problem-solving discussions with
friends.
“I get information from Young Talk . When I get it, I call my friends and we sit as a
group to discuss as we understand our problems and how we can solve them.” Aisha,
15, female, in school, Kasese
Adolescents learnt about how to prevent HIV infection. Some see STF papers as part of
national efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS.
“Young Talk informs us about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, keeping safe through abstinence
and how to avoid such risks as early marriages, and early pregnancies. The language
is ok because we can read it and understand.” Female pupil, Lightview PS, Bugiri
Town
Other adolescents mentioned learning that HIV testing is important and that only VCT
can show if a person has HIV.
“I have learnt that you should not judge someone’s HIV status by physical appearance.
There are people who can live with HIV for years and do not show signs. I have
learnt that the only way to know someone’s HIV status is by testing.” FGD, female
adolescents, Bugiri
Adolescent respondents in both primary and secondary schools talked openly about
abstinence and condom use as safer sexual practices that they had learnt from the
papers. They said the STF messages are important because the pressure to engage in
sex is often high in their social surroundings.
“Straight Talk has helped me to learn how to say no to sex and complete my studies so
that I become a helpful person in future.” Loice, 15, female, in school, Kasese
“In Young Talk, I learnt that I should abstain from sex, although in this place, it is hard
when everyone is having sex. I learnt from Straight Talk that when I have sex with a boy
I make sure I realise whether the boy has put on a condom or just put it myself such
that I cannot be able to get STDS like AIDS.” Rose, 14, female, in school, Kasese
Some readers reported making safer SRH decisions as a result of reading the papers.
“I had a boyfriend whom I fell in love with. After I was pregnant, he told me to abort.
When I read Straight Talk, I found that abortion was bad; it leads to death. So when I
told my boyfriend, he also feared. I gave birth and now my parents have taken me back
to school.” Female, 16, in school, Kasese
Some readers were particularly moved by stories in STF papers about bad peer groups
and the attendant risks of being out after dark or abusing drugs and alcohol.
“I used to move at night. Then I read Young Talk. I found that you may be raped. When
I heard about it, I stopped that habit.” Female, 17, Kasese

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“I was in peer groups that used to abuses drugs. But when I started reading Straight
Talk and listening to Straight Talk radio shows, I drew away from bad groups and joined
football clubs. ” Vandeka, male, Kasese
Adolescents who read STF print materials said that, besides ASRH, they had learnt
about human rights and the value of respect for parents and elders. Straight Talk and
Young Talk seem to be having an effect on positive social discipline.
“Straight Talk has taught me respect. I used not to respect anybody but now I have
learnt how to respect my parents even my teachers. STF teaches that these are our
parents so we need to respect them.” Joy 16, female, in school, Kasese
Probing revealed that many young people believe that showing ‘respect to parents’
makes parents more likely to help them, for instance, by paying their school fees.
“From Straight Talk I have learnt how I can respect my parents. It teaches us that if we
respect our parents, they get more effort to pay my school fees.” Aisha, 15, female, in
school, Kasese
Importantly, many adolescents pointed out that the STF papers taught them to respect
themselves. Many more girls than boys mentioned this and as did more primary than
secondary learners.
“It has helped me to have discipline in my community so I can respect myself and other
people such that I create a good name in my community.” Resty, 14, female, in school,
Kasese
Stakeholders
The evaluators solicited the opinions of parents, teachers, CBOs and leaders on the
STF papers. Overwhelmingly, parents appreciated STF, often saying that they found
it hard or did not know enough to talk to their adolescents about body changes like
menstruation; they were glad that Straight Talk and Young Talk did it for them.
“Yes, I am aware of Straight Talk, Young Talk. They help our children to understand the
changes they go through, such as menstruation for girls and change of voice for boys.
The papers give good advice to our children, especially where we cannot tell the answers.
The messages transform our children into responsible people because they discourage
early or premarital sex. I do not have any negative comment because they are so
educative.” Mother, 43, Bugiri
“Sometimes we get busy working for money for the children’s education and forget to
talk to them. But we know they must be getting good information from the STF papers”.
Mother, Kitgum
Some parents particularly valued STF papers for addressing morals.
“Young Talk and Straight Talk are such good products, which tell our children what
they are supposed to do when they face a given situation. They help us to bring up our
children in a moral way.” Father, 36, Sigulu islands, Bugiri

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Absorbed: secondary school students read Straight Talk in Bugiri.
Teachers reported using STF publications as a reference for dealing with adolescents.
In rural Kasese, the teachers thanked STF for Straight Talk and Young Talk, saying
that, though they are in charge of adolescents, their training is inadequate given the
magnitude of the problem. STF papers have helped to build their knowledge. STF
papers are used as support materials for SRH work in schools, particularly in anti-
AIDS clubs. Two teachers from Kasese spoke at length of the papers’ impact.
“I have seen my students benefiting from Straight Talk and Young Talk since I started
teaching. Young Talk is very good because it gives information to young people on how
they can abstain. Here we are faced with early pregnancies and many of our girls drop
out. Young Talk helps us in making sure the younger ones understand. Poverty forces
many to stop school at early age but your paper is helpful for those in school. Both
Straight Talk and Young Talk help them know about HIV/AIDS.” Teacher, Kasese
“… your organisation gives a very strong foundation to teachers. Our training in

sexual health and counselling is usually rushed and not very helpful. On top of that,
here in the village, despite all the problems young people face, there are no materials
for us leaders to use in understanding the problems and talking to the children. The
communities are so poor and not even the government can provide such materials. I
used to be very confused when children asked me questions. But I have been using
Straight Talk and Young Talk to build my knowledge. Over the years, I have become more
confident. So I really appreciate you.” Teacher, male, secondary, Maliba, Kasese
The power of “comprehensiveness” was also expressed by a Bugiri teacher:
“Straight Talk and Young Talk help the students to be aware of STDs and how to protect
against acquiring the deadly disease. They help them to create healthier relationships
with their teachers and fellow students. They make them realise how far to relate with
different people. They gain confidence to talk freely about sex-related issues. They
come to know that it is not a crime or evil to talk about it. The papers have encouraged
them to go for VCT and know their HIV status. A good number have tested and this
could be a result of repeated messages by STF. ” Teacher, male, Dede SS, Bugiri

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Besides Straight Talk and Young Talk papers, STF also produces calendars that can be
found on notice boards and in administrator’s offices in most schools.
“We receive STF calendars every year, which is great for us. They are common in the
primary and secondary schools.” Teacher, male, secondary, Maliba, Kasese
Finally, respondents valued STF’s Farm Talk and Tree Talk papers and the seeds
sent with them. These were described as key sources of information on agriculture,
generating much activity in and out of school, such as nurseries and tree growing.
“Straight Talk papers help us much through advising on how we can improve on good
methods of agriculture. We get them from our friends who go to school.” Wilson,
male, out-of-school, Bugiri
“Even they give cabbage and carrot seed. My students have put up a garden of their
own; it is wonderful of you.” Teacher, primary, Maliba, Kasese
Challenges with newspapers

Some readers, especially rural teachers, were concerned about the language used in the
newspapers, which was seen as “strong” and difficult. This complaint applied mainly
to primary pupils but also arose in regard to secondary students.
“Here in Sigulu Islands, our children cannot read well. Unless adults help, they do
not understand what you write about. I am telling you that all our children in primary
schools cannot read that Young Talk. They look at the pictures then use the paper to
cover their books. Even us parents have a problem of reading.” Mother, 35, Bugiri
The evaluators also heard from one parent who was worried that STF gave too much
detail on sexual intercourse, although he deemed the paper helpful overall.
“Young Talk and Straight Talk are good papers which help our children understand the
dangers of HIV/AIDS. They sensitise the youths in life skills. The only negative is that
at times they write things that we as parents would not love our children to hear, for
example, describing sex actions.” Father, 38, Bugiri
Some respondents complained that STF writes for the urban and not rural children,
and that most articles and letters feature urban children.
“Most times you use children from towns, not necessarily Kampala but towns like Kasese.
When you come to Kasese, do not go Kasese town, because see how long it took you to
reach our place. It is very far and this is the real village, where children struggle to read
English. It would be good to think about pupils in rural areas, children who do not have
those nice uniforms that we see children putting on in Young Talk and Straight Talk.
These are the majority in our country.” Male, teacher group interview, secondary
school, Kasese
In addition to these content-specific challenges, STF encounters formidable delivery

challenges, and many learners and teachers complained about delays in receiving
papers. Such delays limit readers’ participation in quizzes and create confusion in
schools as to whether STF has stopped sending the papers or if the schools’ contacts are

A MID-TERM REVIEW
wrong. Ultimately, uncertainty about when to expect the papers contributes to poor
utilisation.
“We receive Straight Talk but very late. The good thing is the information does not
expire. But because we get it late, our students cannot take part in the competitions. I
do not know whether it is because we are deep in the village. Sometimes we get some
materials from our local Straight Talk club which helps. I wish you can improve on
that aspect. When they come so late, you do not know whether they stopped (sending).”
Teacher, male, secondary, Kasese
Teachers and some in school adolescents complained about the small numbers of
copies that are sent. Indeed, primary schools have been receiving just 16 copies of
Young Talk a month and secondary schools 24 copies of Straight Talk. From 2005 to
2008 financial constraints prevented STF from raising the print run, so the ratio of
newspaper to learner deteriorated. To be fair, however, schools do not always use the
few copies they receive well. Many lack libraries that could be central points of access.
In some, all copies are distributed to school-based health clubs, limiting open access.
In others, especially secondary schools, copies are distributed randomly.
“We receive very few Straight Talks, so very few of the students get a chance to look
at a copy. Some students can fail to read a copy throughout the year.” Teacher, male,
secondary, Kasese
Some respondents complained bitterly about delays in getting responses to letters

written to STF. STF aims to answer every letter, but beneficiaries who write sometimes
get no feedback at all. Adolescents write to take part in quizzes or ask personal
questions (often of immense concern to the writers). Either way they want swift
answers.
“They do not reply to their readers who write letters to them.” Female, Bugiri
“We are not impressed with the feedback. We wrote our letters and they are not replied
or sometimes they are replied late. At least we should have some officials checking on
us occasionally. We have questions that need immediate answers.” Female, FGD, in
school, Bugiri
Out-of-school adolescents raised another key challenge: in some regions, there is no

local language version of Straight Talk. STF produces newspapers in five of Uganda’s 35
languages. Respondents wanted local language papers to use as a reference. Members
of the Maliba Straight Talk club (Kasese) keep file copies of Straight Talk and Young Talk.
This benefits English readers only.
“We need a translation of Straight Talk in our language so that even these ones who are
not in school understand what is written there. What we are doing now is to translate
for them but in future, they need their own printed paper.” Chairman, male, Maliba
Straight Talk club
Face-to-face communication
STF has multiple face-to-face strategies. This section looks at STF’s club work.
STF encourages the formation of clubs as a peer-to-peer strategy to generate deeper
and sustained conversations about ASRH. Clubs are a social movement at the

A MID-TERM REVIEW
community level through which constructive talks and activities occur. They can
reduce the social isolation of young people who are hard to reach, such as out-of-school
adolescents and married girls.
In-school clubs usually form around reading the newspaper Straight Talk. Out-of-school
clubs usually form around listening to a Straight Talk radio show and may also include
in school adolescents.
Straight Talk clubs are youth-run and formed by the youth and sometimes teachers
or health workers. STF does not aid them financially. Support is limited to monthly
bundles of newspapers and the occasional visit. In 2008 STF radio staff visited 560 out
of the estimated 1300 in and out-of-school clubs that call themselves “Straight Talk”.
STF’s outreach and training (OTD) department also works with clubs.
Keeping a tally of active

clubs is difficult as clubs
wax and wane as students
or youth leave a school or
locality or take on other
life roles. However, STF
internal reports show
that in 2008 OTD trained
168 club members as
peer educators in 40
secondary schools. These
youth reached more than
4254 people through
drama, poems, skits
and discussions. Also in
The Masaka SS Straight Talk club on an outing to STF’s
2008, with support from office in Kampala. The club had its own club T-shirts
CORDAID and CESVI, printed. STF gives no support to such clubs.
STF supported ten clubs in
Kisoro and seven schools in Pader.
Some clubs such as Gere Gere club in Pader and Maliba in Kasese (profiled below)
have become super clubs, acting as franchises of STF by visiting schools, running small
premises and organizing community events. STF gives little or no supervision. To date
these super clubs have excelled in serving their communities, winning recognition
locally. The mid-term evaluators found youth positive about the value of clubs.
“I would like my young ones to join Straight Talk clubs so that they can grow up knowing
what to do when and how. It’s through such clubs that one will learn about controlling
sexual feelings and through this they will be able to stay in school and finish schools
and become useful people.” Mitusera Mbusa, 14, male, in school, Kasese
“(It is good) to join such clubs like Straight Talk clubs, footballs clubs, church choir so
that one can be too busy to think of girls” Bagonza Derious, 15, male, Kasese
The Population Council survey (Adamchak, 2007) also found youth find clubs to be
safe and fun learning environments.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Challenges with clubs

Some clubs expect financial and technical support from STF: many school
administrators perceive Straight Talk clubs to be the “property” of STF. Yet STF has
only two officers responsible for clubs and expects the schools and club members to
manage them. This mismatch of expectations has affected some clubs.
“The club has so many planned activities but the school does not give any financial
support. The money used is mobilised from the members yet they are not working.
Many activities not done because of money. STF should give us some money. STF
should check on the club to clear such problems.” Student FGD, boys and girls, Dede
SS Straight Talk club, Bugiri
“Poor motivation from STF weakens the interest of students to join the Straight Talk
club. Students need close interactions with founding bodies. But when STF distances
itself, we the teachers and students lose morale.” Patron, male, teacher, Dede SS
Straight Talk club, Bugiri
Case study - The Maliba Straight Talk Club in Kasese
The Maliba Straight Talk club is a model of STF’s peer-to-peer approach. It has about
50 permanent members with an executive, a constitution developed by the members
and agreed upon objectives and action plan. It has in school and out-of-school
young people; of these, about half are female. It is registered with the district and
also as a farmers’ association.
The vision of the club is to reduce poverty and vulnerability and to strengthen
the youth to build their capacity for sustainable development. Its objectives are:
sensitising and counselling youth and elderly about sexual abuse; parents about safe
motherhood and child survival; pregnant girls about going back to school after the
birth; families about domestic violence and household income; and youths about
reducing their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
The main activities of the club are agriculture and listening to Straight Talk radio
show. Listening to the local language radio show is a peer-to-peer activity;
members discuss the show, which the club has popularised and is a major source of
ASRH knowledge and highly appreciated by the community. As one teacher noted:
“I thank those boys (Maliba ST club) because they have endeavoured to organise
people in this village. Through their work, people have come to know about the show.
In my opinion the show is very nice for everyone. I think you notice there are many
boys in Maliba Trading Centre, who are just sitting there doing nothing. Most do
not go to school and cannot speak a word in English, so the show really helps them.”
[Teacher, male, secondary]
The achievements of the club are not limited to Maliba village. Neighbouring
villages speak positively about its work.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“… I know Straight Talk from the Maliba Straight Talk club who are from the other
village. Those boys are doing some good work that I feel we leaders have failed to do.
They move around sensitising people in the sub county. They come to my office and ask
for permission to organise concerts (music, dance and drama) sensitising our young
people. They gather young people here and from around the trading centre and sing for
them good messages for their lives.” [LC1, male, Kyanya village]
Maliba Straight Talk Club members: (top) at their income-

generating project and (below) in the club office.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Chapter 3
Focus on most-at-risk
adolescents
STF’s communication projects for adolescents, remembering to address girls in all
its work and ensure that its activities reach adolescents living in poverty or affected
by conflict.
Adolescence is a risky life period for every child. However, STF’s Strategic Plan
2006-2010 identified groups of adolescents at heightened risk, not just of HIV, but
also of generally bleak futures. These groups were girls, married adolescents, rural
adolescents, adolescents living in poverty, out of school adolescents, and adolescents
living in conflict areas. These groups overlap in many ways: girls make up more of the
out-of-school than boys; almost all married adolescents are girls; few rural adolescents
go to secondary school; adolescents in conflict areas are likely to be poor, and so on.
There is no doubt that in the period 2006 to mid-2008 STF did substantial work in
reaching out to most of these adolescent sub-sets. Simply by increasing its work in
radio and working in more local languages, STF directly focused on less advantaged
adolescents. It also worked intensively in the conflict-affected North and Karamoja
regions.
Two key questions of the mid-term evaluation were: had the most-at-risk adolescents
been reached? And, are there categories of most-at-risk-adolescents that STF is
missing? Indeed, communities identified several categories of vulnerable young people
not singled out in the SP, such as fishing youth, OVCs and returned former child
rebels. They also identified adolescents with problem parents as at high risk. “Problem

A MID-TERM REVIEW
parents” seem to be parents who, among other things, have negative attitudes to
education, consume much alcohol or do not value the girl child.
The first half of this chapter briefly relates what communities said about most-at-risk
adolescents and how STF did or did not respond to these groups. The second half of
the chapter describes STF’s work with conflict-affected youth. Girls, as an extremely
vulnerable group, have a chapter of their own: Chapter 4.
Adolescents at heightened risk

Adolescents in poverty: The vast majority of Ugandan adolescents are poor, but some are
relatively or extremely poor. There is a complex interplay between poverty and HIV.
However, poverty has a direct and clear impact on persistence in school.
“The people here are very poor. Even when they are in school, they do not have the
hope of going all the way because they know their parents are poor. People who have
money, especially in trading centres, use these young girls. It is very common, even
married people. So I think poverty is a big problem here that may be a challenge to
Straight Talk work. Just imagine how many girls and boys drop out of school every
year. What do you expect them to do out of school?” Teacher, male, Kasese
“Many of our children here lose hope for education because they know they are poor, so
they see it as a waste to continue since they may not go to higher levels.” Okeny, male
teacher, Alima Lagot PS, Namukora, Kitgum
Poverty creates “sex traps” for youth. The following quotes refer exclusively to girls,
who appear far more caught up by transactional and cross-generational sex than boys.
“Many girls here get pregnant because they are conned by men with money. So they
allow sex to get money.” Betty, 18, female, out-of-school, Kitgum Town
“Poverty in these camps is so high and makes the youth desperate to a point of having
sex for money or food. This mostly is on the girls’ sides. They get pulled into sex by
older men who have money. If they had some things they could do to earn money,
maybe they would not be tempted to do this.” Wilson, male, parent, Namukora,
Kitgum
“Poverty in our families has facilitated premarital sex in young girls. If a girl asks for
something like powder and you don’t afford, when she gets a boy who can buy it for her,
she will pay back with sex. She can be impregnated and drop out of school. Her future
will be spoilt because she cannot go back to school because of the shame.” Kule, male,
parent, Kasese
Poverty has caused many adolescents to lose respect for their parents; according to
parents, some have become disobedient, no longer heeding their counsel.
“Lack of money by us parents has facilitated decay of our children. When we don’t
have what to give to our children when they ask for it, they don’t see reason why they
should heed our advice about their bad ways. They end up pregnant, infected with AIDS
or even run to town to look for what they call a better life and never return home.”
Kalibukulu, male, parent, Kasese

A MID-TERM REVIEW
What STF did: STF weaves a constant discourse through all its work about managing
poverty: youth are helped to reflect on the value of work, the nature of money, whether
getting a gift is ever worth sex with all its risks, how to be patient and satisfied
with what one has (delayed gratification) and others. From 2007 to mid-2008 alone,
STF radio produced 36 radio shows for youth on aspects of cross generational and
transactional sex (shows in 12 languages on the following three topics: sugar daddies,
sugar mummies, something for something love). The September 2007 Straight Talk was
on “Would you have a sugar partner?”
Adolescents in fishing communities are a group with acute SRH problems. The mid-term
review looked into why adolescents in fishing communities are both needy and hard to
reach. First, low literacy levels mean that STF papers may not “work” for youth.
“STF has not yet penetrated our landing sites. We hear of very many bad behaviours
for young people living near the sites. They also need STF information to make
informed decisions. Many are out-of-school, married or having children. They also
involve in sex in exchange for money.” Midwife, female, Banda HC3, Bugiri
Second, adults in fishing communities exhibit high risk behaviour.
“Our (mothers) do not show us a good example. We

see them having relationships with men. They also go
to lodges to have sex and get money from business
people. Every female here wants money, no matter the
age.” FGD, adolescent females, Bugiri
Third, the nature of fishing makes it hard for

programmes to access youth. Young fisherfolk
spend most of their time away from their homes at
fishing sites, fish markets, restaurants, night clubs
and video halls.
“The radio show in local language would be nice but

these children are always busy with fishing. Some work
in small restaurants or vending fish. They wake up
very early to go for fishing and some come back as
late as 6pm. And when they come back, they are tired.
Lusoga journalist Susan Babirye They spend most of their evenings in trading centres
interviews a young woman at a taking booze or watching videos till midnight.” Female,
fishing site in Mayuge district.
35, parent, Bugiri
What STF did: STF’s Luganda, Lusoga and

Lusamia shows are frequently recorded in fishing communities and try to unpack
the complex economic and social dynamics that lead to high HIV prevalence there.
The Lusamia show in particular has explored the “sex for fish” behaviour in Bugiri
and Busia: its lead journalist estimates that about eight out of her 52 shows a year are
recorded in fishing sites. In May 2008 STF held community dialogues at Lambu, along
the Masaka shoreline, offering free testing and finding high rates of infection. Positives
were referred for care.
Adolescents who are OVCs: The “perfect storm” of poverty, low supervision and lack of

A MID-TERM REVIEW
love means that OVCs are more likely to have early sex. Female orphans are about 1.5
times more likely to start sex before age 15 than non OVC girls (UHSBS, 2004/5). The
following are quotes from adults on special hardships that orphans face.
“…orphaned children…( end) up in early marriages. They look at marriage as an

alternative after parent’s death. They think marriage will give them comfort and
necessary support. However, they are disappointed by domestic violence. Some fail to
persevere and run to trading centres to start business with truck drivers. There are
many orphaned children renting small rooms. “ Teacher, male, Kibimba PS, Bugiri
“Orphans … are forced to drop out of school. Such are easy targets for older men,
especially the girls who are offered school fees or money for sex and most time
unprotected hence leading to STDs and even AIDS. When you are hungry, your mind
cannot think well. All it wants is, how do I get food? So any simple way that comes is
what they take.” Wilson, male parent, Namukora, Kitgum
Adolescents themselves spoke movingly and with great trepidation about the
possibility of becoming orphans.
“If my daddy dies, then I will lose hope to continue with my studies because he pays
my fees. But I can make sure I cooperate with my mother such that we grow crops.
Thereafter we harvest and sell, and I continue with studies.” Kabugho Sipera, 15,
female, in school, Kasese
“(My greatest worry) is death of my guardian/parents. Most of us look to our parents

to contribute to our bright future, through giving us education or teaching us about
farming, living in harmony with others and how to behave as a woman. Now when they
die, a big part of us is crushed and gone with them, leaving us confused, disappointed
and scared of facing life alone. However, this can be overcome through praying and
sharing experiences with friends who have gone through it.” Muhindo Janet, 19,
What STF did: STF’s youth centres in Gulu and Kitgum (GYC and KYC) are
particularly alert to the vulnerability of OVCs: to be an OVC immediately places a
youth higher on GYC’s risk score card, for instance. OVCs thus receive more intensive
counselling than non-OVCs. Being resilient and hardworking despite your family
circumstances are constant STF mass media themes. In 2008 alone, the Lwo radio
shows addressed “Orphans and education”, “Sexual abuse (of OVCs)” and “Child
Labour”. Other language streams have focused similarly on OVCs.
A key aim of the Parent Talk radio show (see Chapter 5) is to help HIV positive parents
live longer, through better drug adherence and other positive living measures. Thus
STF addresses preventing orphans.
Adolescents who are former child soldiers: As the North recovers, many former child
soldiers have returned. Some communities hesitate to embrace them; fearing
stigmatisation, fomer adbuctees may avoid public places, even youth-friendly services.
“Yes…There are some who have been traumatized by the war and feel they are not
wanted in society because others will start calling them names like rebel.” Okeny, male,
teacher, Alima Lagot PS, Namukora, Kitgum

A MID-TERM REVIEW
What STF did: both GYC and KYC have former abductees among their clients. The
two Lwo radio shows talk frequently about the need to integrate these children.
Adolescents living with HIV: neither the mid-term respondents nor the SP mentioned
this important group. However, this group has enormous and complex relationship
and sexuality issues of its own and is also a potential source of new infections. There
are an estimated 150,000 children and adolescents living with HIV, only about 8000 of
whom are on anti-retrovirals (ARVs).
What STF did: STF has been featuring positive adolescents

in its papers since the 1990s. However, since the roll out
of ARVs as well as the realisation that some peri-natally-
infected children will live without sign or symptoms of
HIV into their teens, STF has focused more intensively
on this group. STF has tried to prevent stigmatisation of
positive adolescents and to encourage potentially positive
adolescents (e.g., OVCs) to seek testing and care.
STF’s discussion of adolescents living positively often

stresses the life skills of empathy and resilience. In
February 2006 Straight Talk featured a teenager with HIV
and followed her up with an entire issue on adolescents
living positively in 2008. In 2008 Young Talk also ran an
entire issue on living positively. Questions from positive
teens are now coming in to STF, usually concerning
partner choices such as “should I tell him I am positive?”
or “he is positive. Should I marry him?” In 2008 STF recruited a young positive, who is
open about her status, to work in the print department and on outreach. All Parent Talk
shows talk about positive children and numerous Straight Talk radio shows featured
positive youth in 2008.
Adolescents with disability: mid-term respondents did not mention this group nor did
STF’s SP. However, they are deeply vulnerable, often left alone at home or teased at
school and exploited sexually in all settings.
What STF did: In 2008 STF devoted an entire issue of Young

Talk and Straight Talk to adolescents with disability. It also
produced ST radio shows on disability and HIV, disability
and stigma, and disability and sexual exploitation in 14
languages (a total of 42 shows). AT GYC, one counsellor
is dedicated to adolescents with disability. The OTD
department carried out a sensitisation with Deaf Link in
2008.
Adolescents with problem parents: Besides OVCs and

adolescents in poverty, this could be the biggest group of
adolescents at heightened need. Adolescents in poverty
and OVCs overlap with this group. Girl adolescents
suffer profoundly from parents denying them access to
ASRH information and forcing them to marry early.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“Here in our community I see the most vulnerable as … the ones who have dropped
out of school and get married or pregnant. Many of their parents say that STF
programmes are spoiling them so they stop them from attending any STF activities.
This means that getting to them maybe hard.” Okumu, club chair, male, out-of-school
adolescent, Kitgum town
Some adults talked of the problems caused by violent parents. As one mother noted:
“Violent parents who abuse their children on a daily basis kill the relationship between
them. If you beat your child every time, how will they tell you anything? Even if
they have a problem, they will just keep quiet, knowing you will beat them.” Emonda,
mother, Lokung, Kitgum
But perhaps the greatest complaint was that parents (usually fathers) drank too much
and did not value education: often these were linked.
“I am out-of-school because my father takes a lot of alcohol. When I requested for

books, pens, he never facilitated.” Mbusa 15, male, out-of-school, Kasese
“I would like to request Straight Talk to tackle the problem of alcohol. We are losing
generations: our fathers are drunkards, our brothers are drunkards and very soon even
our children. Alcohol is a bad way of life here. People resort to drinking all day after
working in gardens. Then there are those who do not even have gardens. That is why
we have so many defilements and fathers forcing their children to sit at home.” Jockus,
19, male, Bikone, Kasese
What STF did: In its mass media materials, STF constantly talks about managing
parents, balancing respect for them with thinking critically about the negative practices
that parents might push young people into such as early marriage. A key STF refrain
is that you do not have to live the life your parents live; young people can escape
the alcohol abuse, multiple partnerships and ensuing poverty that characterise their
parents’ lives. They do not have to mirror their parents’ behaviour. STF also approaches
the problems from the other end, for example, producing radio shows for youth and
adults on alcohol or on the issues surrounding early marriage. In 2007-8, STF produced
60 radio shows on aspects of alcohol abuse (five topics x 12 languages).
Adolescents in conflict areas

This is a highly vulnerable sub-group of adolescents. The SP 2006-2010 lays stress on
them, although even before 2006 STF made them a high priority. For instance, STF’s
first Ugandan language radio show (2000) was in Lwo because of the war in the north;
STF started its Gulu Youth Centre (GYC) in 2003.
There are two main areas of conflict in Uganda: Karamoja, which experiences armed
cattle raiding, and the Lwo-speaking North, which has seen war since 1987. Like
the rest of the country, Karamoja and the north have always received Young Talk and
Straight Talk newspapers and the English Straight Talk radio show. However, under the
period 2006 to mid-2008 STF worked even more intensively in both areas.
Since 2007, STF has run radio shows for youth and parents in Nga’karimojong,
produced dedicated Straight Talk and Young Talk issues on Karamoja, mentored clubs,
sensitised teachers, distributed over 5000 wind up radios, and established an office in

A MID-TERM REVIEW
STF Karamoja manager, Martin Oenen, registers an elderly

Karimojong woman to receive a wind up radio in Kotido district.
Karamoja. Because this work is documented elsewhere, this mid-term review focused
intensively on the Luo north.
The war in northern Uganda displaced large numbers of people into camps and
contributed to trauma and poverty. Crowded camps, food insecurity, low school
attendance, violence and high unemployment led to much forced, transactional and
survival sex and contributed to HIV/STD transmission. To continue to help the youth
in this difficult setting and following the success of Gulu Youth Centre (GYC), STF
set up Kitgum Youth Centre (KYC) in 2007. As support to parents, it started the Lwo
Parent Talk radio show in November 2006. In both 2007 and 2008, STF produced special
Straight Talks in Luo about staying safe in camp life.
Thus, for the period 2006 to mid-2008, people in northern Uganda had a wide range of
STF activities to which they might have been exposed: radio shows and newspapers in
English and Lwo, youth centres, community outreaches, teacher trainings and health
fairs.
The youth centres: GYC and KYC both offer VCT, STD treatment, general counselling,
edutainment, sports and a safe haven. About 60-100 young people come to GYC daily;
slightly less attend KYC. GYC tests about 8000 youth a year, about 6000 of whom test at
the static site in Gulu town and 2000 from outreaches to IDP camps. KYC started VCT
services in October 2007; by the end of 2008, the centre had registered over 12,000 tests.
Research shows little link between testing negative and adopting safer sexual
behaviour (Matovu J et al., 2005; Corbett E et al., 2007). So within the framework of the
national counselling protocol, GYC has tried to differentiate youth who test negative
into categories of low, medium and high risk negatives. Staff use this categorisation to
offer different “talk” packages that might lead to behaviour change, such as intensive
counselling to the negative youth at high risk of infection.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
STF’s policy is to distribute condoms only in the context of counselling. In 2007, GYC
distributed free condoms to almost 800 youth; the majority were boys (94%) and in-
school youth (72%). KYC also distributes free condoms, and has seen a similar pattern
with most uptake by older male adolescents. There are probably gender biases among
the distributors as well as social attitudes affecting who feels empowered to come for
condoms.
In 2007, medical services were provided to over 5000 youth at GYC, including
treatment and management of STDs. The KYC has less medical capacity and refers
youth to local hospitals. For much of 2005-2008, GYC ran a weekly Lwo call-in radio
show, enabling youth to participate
directly in issues regarding their RH.
As with GYC, the KYC has used radio,
holding ten shows in its first year.
Both centers have positive youth support

groups. GYC supplies Septrin directly and
refers youth for ARVs. Clients who test
positive at KYC are referred for Septrin
and other support to the Kitgum Hospital
and Lokung Health Centre III.
Staff from both centers have been trained

in rape management. KYC refers rape
survivors for PEP while GYC has managed
several PEP cases on its own with support
from the District Health Officer.
During 2007, KYC carried out dialogues

with over 937 parents, of whom 733 were
mothers. KYC has helped parents create
clubs and groups in their communities as
the avenue for dialogue. In 2007-8, Kitgum
villages reached with dialogues for parents
and adolescents of specific age groups
included Obia, Mucwini, Ngom Oromo, A peer educator registers clients at the
Aweno Olwii and Lokung. reception of GYC.
School visits are a major KYC/GYC

activity. For example, KYC staff made 41 secondary school visits in 2007, reaching over
2000 students, and 23 primary school visits, reaching over 1500 pupils with one-to-one
counselling and open discussions. The staff also facilitated dialogues with 2076 young
people who were out-of-school.
Finally, in Kitgum in 2007, STF’s OTD team sensitised 476 primary teachers from 148
schools as well as 11 district officials, 15 health workers and 34 parents. After a district
meeting, the team reached over 10,000 people through community fairs.
-

A MID-TERM REVIEW
What adolescents and stakeholders think about STF efforts in the North
Adolescents
STF researchers went to Kitgum to answer this question. Kitgum youth who were
interviewed were overwhelmingly positive about STF activities. The only real
complaints were that they wanted more of everything (outreaches, newspapers) and
that STF could not “fix” many of the social problems they faced.
Although there are many NGO activities for youth in Kitgum, this youth felt that STF
was the “only” one.
“There is only Straight Talk radio show and KYC, which gives free testing.” James, 18,
out-of-school, Lokung
Young people appreciated the Lwo radio show and STF papers.
“We listen to Lok Atyer Kamaleng. The show is good. Since it is in local language, it
gives a chance to youth in villages to get advice.” Kenneth, 20, student, Kitgum town
“Straight Talk paper talks on everything so I do not think you can add anything. Just
keep advising us youth. If you could send us more copies more often, like now if you
could have come with many, we could have been able to use them.” Michael, FGD, ST
Club, Alyango parish
The advent of KYC brought many opportunities for Kitgum youth who are able to
frequent it. Youth appreciated the comprehensive services on offer, all free of charge.
“At KYC we get newspapers, group teaching and also drama. They also allow us to watch
movies, which teach us many things well, like refusing sex” Anyiraber, Rwot Twero
Club, Chua
Adolescent girls in an IDP camp in Kitgum, a congested and complicated

space where forced sex and alcohol abuse are daily events.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“KYC is giving us good services like free testing and counseling. They give us
newspapers and have games that keep youth together like volleyball.” Gladys, 17, pupil,
Kitgum town
“All activities here at KYC are free so you save money from going to other clinics where
you have to pay. You know, we youth have no money. This encourages more youth
to come because they are sure they will get treated.” Trevor, 18, FGD with pupils,
Kitgum town
Adolescents like the atmosphere at KYC, saying it is youth-friendly, has caring staff,
and maintains confidentiality.
“When you come here you find people of your age and it is much easier for you to talk
to them about your problem. Even sometimes you can think they have also faced such.
They give you the right information to solve it.” Kenneth, 18, in school, Kitgum town
“Here at KYC there are people who show you care and always want to help you. At least
they look concerned when you come. In other places, the nurse may abuse you. Like
if you have an STD, they can blame you that you sleep around. So you never feel like
coming back.” Trevor, 18, pupil, Kitgum town
“You can come to KYC and get tested without anyone knowing. So you feel encouraged
to test. It is a secret when you test. It is only the counsellors who know. No one else.”
Kamisha, 19, female pupil, Kitgum town
Adolescents felt relieved that there was little risk of running into their parents.
KYC is the only place where you are sure you will not find your relative. Like in clinics
or hospitals, you can find your parents and they ask you what you’re doing there.”
Ronald 20, pupil, Kitgum town
“It is only Visions in Action and KYC, who provide services for the youth. At the others
you may even find your parents going to do the test and they ask you why you are
there.” Kamisha, 19, female pupil, Kitgum town
Adolescents appreciated the free condoms and family planning.
“We can get condoms from them and also pills. The free condoms help us to prevent
unprotected sex as we do not have to go to a shop to buy them. So using them is not a
problem. Many times you find youth not using them because the money to always buy
one is not there.” Scovia, 18, female, out-of-school, Labongo Akwang, Kitgum
Straight Talk club members also appreciate outreach efforts of KYC, which sometimes
include VCT.
“The most important thing is that STF gives us information and services. Like when
KYC staff visit us, they counsel youth and do free testing.” Okumu,ST club chair,
male, out-of-school, Kitgum town

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Stakeholders
Stakeholders interviewed included parents, teachers, district officials and local
councillors. All expressed support for STF’s work in Kitgum. According to the district
coordinator for HIV/AIDS in Kitgum,
“The most important things that STF does are support to the youth in terms of instilling
life skills in this era of HIV/AIDS and provision of medical care such as VCT and
management of STIs. We have known STF for at least 2 years through KYC. Kitgum
district local government benefits from STF because the institution was able to cover
the most vulnerable group, the youths, taking into consideration that there are not many
youth-friendly services in our health institutions.” [Thomas Odok, District HIV/AIDS
coordinator, Kitgum)
Parents were aware of the longstanding Straight Talk Luo show radio show, Lok
atyer Kamaleng.
“I have heard ‘Lok atyer kamaleng’ on MEGA FM where a young man talks about HIV/
STDs and many adolescent issues. If they have radios, this is a good way for the out-
of-school to get information as they do not read much.” Father, Namukora, Kitgum
One female parent was part of a KYC parents’ group.
“KYC has helped us as parents to form our own group and it is where they meet us
after we mobilise ourselves.” Winifred, mother, Kitgum town
One of the most significant changes reported by adult respondents is KYC’s free VCT
and youth-friendly services. One NGO partner reported good cooperation.
“STF has a big team at KYC that helps us with VCT, community mobilisation and
information dissemination. There is now good coverage. We are more service providers
as KYC came in to do the same.” ACET, male, Kitgum town
Challenges
STF radio shows are aired on five stations in the Lwo north, yielding strong coverage.
But some parts of Kitgum could not pick up the radio shows easily. Also, war has
prevented many youth from attaining secondary education so the English in STF
papers is “hard”.
“Not all youth can read. Others have not been able to read the papers except maybe
looking at photos, which do not help much.” Okello, LC1, male, Aweno Olwi
Since GYC and KYC are among the few youth-friendly service providers in the north,
the centres can be overwhelmed with young people. Outreach programmes are much
requested but cannot be as frequent as needed due to limited resources, e.g., KYC has
no vehicle.
“We refer youth to KYC for life skills and testing so that there they can help them deal
with their status if they are found positive.” ACET, male, Kitgum town
Some parents in these conflict areas mistrust STF and ASRH services, believing that
they lead to their children to be promiscuous.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“Parents are not well sensitised and refuse children to go to youth centres like KYC
because they think children go to do wrong things.” Francis, 18, male, out-of-school,
Labongo Akwang
Poverty is a profound challenge, yet STF has no income-generating programmes,

although work and savings are common themes in its communication materials.
“Mostly girls engage in unprotected sex for money. This is a big problem caused by
poverty. When their parents cannot provide, older men come in and give them things
for sex.” Okeny, male, teacher, Alima Lagot PS, Namukora
In many northern communities, the only recreation facilities are bars, nightclubs, pool
tables and video shacks. Despite serving alcohol, these places have no age restrictions
and can be accessed by anyone with money.
“There are too many night clubs in this place and video halls that attract adolescents
to watch bad movies with pornography and then after this they get bad ideas which they
copy and practice like sex. The only solution to this is if these places can be closed.”
Wilson, male parent, Namukora
A KYC field worker holds a session with secondary school students.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Chapter 4
Focus on girls
STF’s communication projects for adolescents, remembering to address girls in all
its work.
Girls make up about 50% of the adolescent population. While boys also experience
many indignities, girls suffer incomparably greater disadvantages. By the end of
adolescence – at age of 19 - girls are four times less likely to be in school than boys.
They are also over eight times as likely to be married and 18 times as likely to have
HIV.
A substantial proportion of adolescent boys exhibit high risk sexual behaviours (early
sex, unprotected sex, multiple partners), but their sexual and reproductive health is still
good. For example, only 0.3% of adolescent boys aged 15-19 are infected with HIV in
Uganda compared to 2.7% of 15-19 year old girls. (UHSBS, 2004/5)
Many boys go to prison for sex with girls under the age of 18, a terrible experience that
almost always has enormous health and social implications for them. However, it is
probably safe to say that only a fraction of those having sex with under-aged girls ever
face consequences.
In contrast, sex during adolescence for girls almost always brings with it life-
changing consequences. With low levels of consistent condom use, the immediate
negative consequence of sex for girls is almost inevitably conception, which is usually
unwanted, followed by abortion or the carrying of the baby to term, which usually
means being compelled to stop school. The average age of first birth for girls is 18.5
(UDHS, 2006).

A MID-TERM REVIEW
The mid-term review took pains to

interview both boys and girls. It found both
sexes concerned about their futures and
facing many challenges. However, girls
clearly faced greater obstacles, including
being more likely than boys to be deprived
of the chance to learn about ASRH.
”… before I got married my parents would

never allow me to go to youth gatherings. They
thought it’s from those meetings that we get
spoilt. They also undermine our ideas that we
share with them. So, in a way, they are slippery
and make life difficult for us.” Margaret, 17,
out-of-school
Girls also face a constant and almost

entirely girl-specific challenge: sexual
violence.
“ I would like to become a lawyer to fight

cases like defilement, rape … that can
happen in our village because the way I see
it, we are not safe.” Nakaye Resty, 14,
female, in-school, Bugiri
An STF training for primary pupils. The girl in
“I may not be able to get my dream as the photo is leading a session on “being a girl”.
there a lot of things that may disturb me
apart from school fees. Men can rape or defile you and you get pregnant or AIDS.”
Amon, 16, female, Kasese
Most girls live with feeling of almost certitude that they will not be able to remain in
school, let alone complete secondary. By age 19, only 12% of girls countrywide are
still in school compared to 46% of boys (UDSH, 2006). In rural areas, very few girls
remain in school after primary. Parents are reluctant to spend money on their school
fees because the girls may become pregnant while there, thereby “wasting” the parents’
investment.
“I am neglected by my parent whereby when I try to ask for school fees they cannot
respond the way I like them to respond. They just give me (the fee money) as if they
don’t want me to go to school. I think I will comfort them and tell them the use of
education.” Muhindo Jackline, 17, in school, Kasese
Getting back to school after falling out is full of difficulties, psychological and financial.
“My goal is to go back to school, but I fear that this may not be possible. I will get old
and they will not allow me to go back and maybe I would be uncomfortable when younger
children laugh at me.” Mariam 17, female, out of school
Girls use several strategies to stay in school, including respecting their parents and
school authorities, avoiding sex and pregnancy, and earning their own school fees.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“To achieve my goal I make sure that I respect my parents such that they get morale to
give me school fees, and I complete my education, which is the key of everything.” Biira
Aisha, 15, female, in-school, Kasese
“I can talk to the head teacher and hope to get help. I tell them that I have no school
fees and see if they will allow me to study.” Girl, 14, in school
I say no to sex because if I abstain I may get free mind. Even though I have sexual
feelings, I make sure that I make myself busy such that I target my goal.” Girl, 15, in-
school, Kasese
“Drought may lead me to fail to get school fees. So since agriculture is the backbone of
my education, I should not stop growing crops.” Girl, 19, female, in-school, Kasese
Being devoutly religious is also a strategy.
“Negative peer pressure is a barrier to achieving our dreams. If you party with spoilt
girls who are sleep with men to make money, they can derail you from your studies. Or
if you join girls who have no respect for elders but just despise people, this may cause
a problem to you when your parents die. No one will be there for you because you are
indisciplined and consequently your goal is frustrated. But if we commit ourselves to
God and make friends with only persons of good character, then we can still achieve our
dreams.” Girl, 17, in school, Kasese
What STD did: STF has been both pro-boy and pro-girl since its inception. It sees both
genders as caught in scripts that are unhealthy and since 1993 has tried to support boys
and girls to re-script healthier gender identities.
Since the start, STF has disaggregated its data by gender: So, for example, STF knows
that in most years boys and girls write in equally to Young Talk and Straight Talk: if
either sex writes more, it is girls. In contrast, boys always write in more to the radio
shows by a difference of about seven to eight boys to every one girl. This reflects the
fact that the listeners are older and mostly out of school. Such girls are usually married,
confined to the home and busy. In contrast, most older adolescent males are unmarried,
mobile and unencumbered by obligations: they have the time to write and the mobility
to post letters. There may also be some difference in access to ownership of radios.
However, the Population Council survey found that “ever listened” is only slightly
higher among boys (60%) than girls (50%) (Adamchak, 2007).
At least some girls believe Straight Talk radio shows are more designed for them than
boys.
The show has a lot (more) information for girls than boys. Since girls are more
vulnerable, we get a lot of information to help us grow well and also protect ourselves
from dangers of the world. We have learnt about our rights, family planning and how to
encourage our partners to perform VCT.” Female adolescent, Bugiri
STF always asks about the differences between female’s and male’s experiences, a
fundamental rule of operating according to a gender analysis. During 2006 to mid-
2008, STF increasingly moved towards producing each radio topic from two angles:
one from the perspective of boys and one from the perspective of girls.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Analysis of Straight Talk newspaper in 2008 found an equal distribution of girl-focused

and boy-focused articles. Interestingly, articles addressing gender equality tended to be
addressed more to boys than girls – a reflection of the need to “change” boys so as to
help girls. There were slightly more “girl” articles focused on sex, because of the need
to address forced/coerced sex in girls.
In the period under review STF produced many newspapers

with a strong pro-girl focus, such as the Young Talk shown
here.
Since 2006, STF has increasingly worked with gender-

disaggregated groups in its face-to-face work in the style of
Stepping Stones. The northern youth centres have separate girl
and boy “talks” in recognition that life is radically different for
the two genders.
Married girls: Married girls are an acutely vulnerable sub-

group of girls. Indeed, eventually, almost all girls in rural
areas join this sub-group. Most adolescent girls who get
infected with HIV in adolescence do so in marriage or as they
are progressing into marriage (courtship, pregnancy, co-
habitation). Most girls marry someone about five years older
than themselves who has had several sexual partners; VCT rarely precedes sexual
relationships. STF has tried to address this complicated and risky life transition in all
its mass media products and its face-to-face work.
In FGDs, married girl respondents aged 15-19 said that marriage isolates them from
RH information. As their partners are older, the power imbalance is strong. Girls
are busy, with little time to listen to STF radio shows or take part in activities that
might improve their ASRH such as STF clubs. Their husbands control their social
engagements.
“We are always buried in our household chores, especially in the evenings. When the
radio shows are on, it’s the time we are preparing supper. Our husbands do not allow
us to go for meetings like the ones of Maliba Straight Talk Club for fear that we shall
meet new men and cheat on them or elope. They also think we are just going to gossip.”
Mbambu Robin, 19, female, married, out-of-school, Kasese
Some girls complained that their husbands do not listen to STF radio shows or attend
clubs as they consider themselves to be too old or busy.
“Our husbands claim to be too busy to attend youth meetings. When they are listening
to the radio, they prefer music, thus they miss shows like Straight Talk, which according
to what you have told us is good and worth listening to.” Anifa 19, female, married,
out of school
Scanty male involvement in ASRH results in unplanned, early and multiple births.
“The other problem is family planning. My husband does not care at all about it. I am
just 17 but have two children. How many will I have when I am 20? I am so afraid yet
he even has other older wives.” Margaret, 17, female, married, out-of-school

A MID-TERM REVIEW
An adolescent girl reads a Straight Talk in one of the languages of

western Uganda: Runyankole-Rukiga. The cover is a photo of a young
woman with child.
Universal Primary and Secondary Education has brought some married girls into
school, creating challenges for teachers when conducting ASRH and HIV talks.
“The programme of USE and the messages like ‘stay in school’ have brought some
adolescents who had been married off back to school. This needs urgent attention.
What do you tell these girls? Do you tell them to abstain or use condoms? How do you
separate their messages? So this group is not well catered, and I feel it will be a big
challenge to Straight Talk because it is already a problem for us as teachers. You know,
they are adults in a way.” Teacher, male, secondary, Kasese
“The biggest group is the married young people, especially girls. We teach them
in schools, and many are out-of-school with their futures shattered. If they are
not tackled, they can become a big channel for HIV spread. As teachers we are
overwhelmed. The question to you is: how do we deal with them, what do we tell them?
I sometimes feel they are bad peer influence to others.” Teachers group interview,
secondary, Kasese
What STF did: From 2006 to mid-2008 STF directly reached married girls face-to-
face at the northern youth centres, health fairs and out of school clubs. With its mass
media work, it focused on married girls (often those with children) in its editions of
local language Straight Talk. In the local language shows it addressed them by covering
marriage topics such as couple dialogue, family planning, discordance, sex and
marriage, children and marriage, violence in marriage and courting for marriage. An
in-house analysis of local language radio shows in 2008 shows that about one-third of
shows of the 52 shows a year were directly relevant to married girls. Teacher trainings
also addressed the issue of married girls.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Challenges
This chapter has already described many of the challenges faced by girls but also faced
by STF in working with girls, such as parents and husbands restricting girls’ access
to STF materials and activities. However, the fundamental challenge is that girls are
often valued more as a source of labour or brideprice than as potential contributors to
society.
Many girls, including most girls in rural areas, feel uncared for and profoundly limited
in life options, often going from being the property of their father to being the property
of their husband. Avoiding sex and disease can seem like an impossibility.
“Our parents and elders do not want to pay school fees and even force us to look
for men to marry. But the men cannot marry you before they have sex with you and
sometimes they give you diseases. If our parents knew that girls are precious, they
would not treat us as if we are not humans. I want to finish school but I imagine I will
never do so because they want me to marry like my elder sister.” Nyamususa, 18,
“There are so many parents … who do not care about the girls and they get them out
of school to marry them off or to sit at home hoping that someone will come and marry
them.” Bwabale, 15, male, Bikone, Kasese
Poverty also has ASRH implications for girls that are often life shattering.
“Cross-generational sex…is very common and about to be labelled normal. It’s due to
poverty/lack of money. Now that parents can’t support their children with any money,
life becomes difficult for me as a gal who needs pads, oils and fees. Being in such a
fix of lack, when an old man comes with his 20,000, I take him for a saviour and my
parents (for) failures. Besides both young and old men no longer have fear of AIDS.
They strongly argue and convince you that AIDS is just a type of malaria.” Anifa,
female adolescent, Kasese
“Most of our girls are being impregnated at 14, 15, 16. This is due to lack of money by
the parents to give when girls demand for pads, knickers and other girl-related needs.
When men ask these girls to bed, they are fast at giving in because they know they will
get money.” Mukalu, male, parent, Kasese
Plagued by lack of assertiveness and low self-esteem, many female adolescents worry
that they will fail to resist males persuading or coercing them to have sex. In the
following quote, a girl describes succumbing to boys’ requests for sex, partly because
they pester her but also because she feels like having sex.
“I worry about becoming pregnant. Boys come to me, asking for sexual intercourse, and
when they ask many times, I feel the mood and I am convinced. Thereafter I humble
myself in front of my parents and ask for forgiveness so I am able to go to school and
study.” Female, 15, female, in school, Kasese
How girls should handle their sexual feelings is an area that has yet to be thoroughly
explored. For a girl to anticipate sex by carrying condoms runs counter to ideas of
appropriate female sexuality. In addition, many girls also worry that they will never
find a wholesome man to marry. Girls do not trust boys.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“I don’t know if I will ever get a good life like I dream of, like having a good family, as
many of the boys and men are liars and just look for only sex yet for us we can want
serious things.” Scovia, 17, female, in school
The quiet despair in the above quote underscores that much more needs to be done
to untangle the very powerful forces that put the lives of girls at such risk. The task is
much bigger than communication for social change alone can handle.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Chapter 5
Communication
with adults
What the Strategic Plan said: To increase the existing and to initiate new
communication projects with adults and improve their quantity, quality and
coverage. Focus on protective factors for adolescents by increasing its efforts with
teachers, schools and MOES, by starting a large new effort with parents.
World Health Organisation has identified two key protective factors for adolescents:
the presence of parents and the quality of their relationship with their adolescent
children; and the quality of the adolescents relationship with their teachers and school
(WHO, 2002). Thus, under the SP 2006-2010, STF aimed to greatly increase work with
parents and teachers. It also aimed to continue collaborating closely with critical
institutions, such as Ministry of Education and Sport (MoES).
To achieve this objective, STF focused on the following:

• Increased programming with and for parents, especially via radio;
• Programming for service providers and duty bearers, including face-to-face;
sensitisations for teachers, district leaders and senior district officials and the
production of Teacher Talk newspaper;
• Partnering with community organisations and institutions
Work with parents

STF started mass media efforts with parents in 2004 with a newspaper called
Parent Talk, which was translated into five Ugandan languages. However, after a
disappointing response to the paper, largely due to low literacy rates, STF switched

A MID-TERM REVIEW
its parent communication efforts to radio. The first Parent

Talk radio shows went on air in October 2005 in 4 languages:
4Rs, Lugbara, Lukhonzo and Lusamia. In November 2006,
two more Parent Talk shows, in Lumasaba and Luganda,
started. These were followed by Lwo Parent Talk in
November 2007, Ateso Parent Talk in April 2007 and
Nga’karimojong in July 2008.
These nine Parent Talk shows are funded by both HIV and
education funds. The funders have their own objectives, such
as increasing parent involvement in children’s education and
helping parents with HIV to adopt the CDC “basic care package”.
Coverage of Parent
These dovetail perfectly with the STF objective of creating the
Talk radio shows 2005 home and community environment that adolescents need for
(above) and 2008 healthy SRH outcomes.
(below)
The shows air on 23 stations and cover the areas that speak
4Rs, Lugbara, Lukonzo, Lusamia, Lumasaba, Luganda, Lwo,
Ateso and Ngakarimojong. As can be seen below, STF was
airing a total of 23 Parent Talk radio shows a week in 2008,
for a total of 1196 shows in the year.
There are 5,819,312 potential listeners – adults aged over

25 – in the linguistic areas covered by the show. Of these,
3,959,168, have been added during the period under review,
2006- mid-2008.
Language Year started Stations airing it Potential listeners

(shows per week) aged 25 or over
4Rs Oct-05 5 1,076,655
Lugbara Oct-05 2 357,713
Lukhonzo Oct-05 2 226,747
Lusamia Oct-05 1 199,029
Lumasaba Nov-06 1 307,900
Luganda Nov-06 3 2,031,902
Lwo Nov-07 5 886,367
Ateso Apr-07 2 453,168
Nga’karimojong Jul-08 2 279,831
Total 9 shows 23 stations: 23 show/ 5,819,312
week = 1196 shows/yr
Besides Parent Talk shows, during the period from 2006 to mid-2008, STF held many
community gatherings that attracted adults. STF’s dialogue for parents addresses many
of the same topics as Parent Talk radio show, including parents’ own sexuality, living
positively and HIV prevention, parenting issues (education, discipline) and ASRH.
In 2008 parent dialogues were held in Kabale, Masaka, Kayunga and Nebbi districts,
having direct contact with 927 parents (397 female, 530 male).

A MID-TERM REVIEW
The mid-term evaluation focussed on Parent Talk radio.
What do parents think about Parent Talk Radio?

Mid-term field data showed Parent Talk radio shows were effectively addressing
parents’ own sexual health and promoting parent-to-child communication. Parents
and partner institutions commented positively on Parent Talk. Parent Talk radio shows
remind and influence parents to talk with their children about ASRH, narrowing the
parent-child gap, increasing harmony in homes and giving parents the confidence to
tackle ASRH with their offspring.
“As a mother, Embaha Ya Bebusi radio show has encouraged me to spare time for my
children. By talking to them, I feel I am giving them the life skills to protect their lives.
I always start the discussion. Afterwards, I feel happy, especially when children promise
to go by my advice. Most of the time they change according to my advice. This has
created harmony in our home, right from the eldest to youngest. Sometimes children
ask offending questions, but I always answer them.” Mother, 43, Bugiri
“The parent show is good, interesting and educative. It has very nice information for
us. It’s a unique show compared to ones we normally listen to. It does not talk only
about HIV but even parenting issues. They advise us to spend valuable time with our
children during the holidays rather than sending them to relatives. This is the time
we have to talk to our children about their health and things concerning growing up”
Mother, 37, Bugiri
In addition, Parent Talk radio shows have inspired parents to reflect on their own
sexuality and personal HIV prevention strategies. Some parents had tested for
HIV; others were practicing more faithfulness in their regular relationships or had
encouraged their wives to go for PMTCT.
“Embaha Ya Bebusi radio show has taught us how to protect against HIV/AIDS. It has
encouraged us to be faithful and to go for VCT .” Father, 36, Bugiri
“When I listened to Parent Talk show I learnt about testing for pregnant mothers. I
encouraged my wife to test to protect our baby. I also got the courage to test. We
tested negative and now we continue to protect ourselves from that disease.” Father, 45,
Bugiri
One female parent said that her husband had stopped taking alcohol as a result of the
show. A male parent reported increased faithfulness as an outcome of listening.
“I listen to Parent Talk on NBS and Eastern Voice radio stations. These shows teach
parents how to bring up children. They teach us about HIV prevention, especially being
faithful. I decided to remain faithful to one sexual partner. STF should continue
educating us to help us cope with our life” Father, 38, Bugiri
The show also seemed to spark couple dialogue in long-standing relationships. Some
parents gained confidence to talk with marital partners and resolve marital problems.
“ This show has educated us. Like one time, my wife had neglected me and was only
on children. I felt lonely and thought getting another woman would solve the situation.
Unfortunately things just worsened for me. Since the show encourages us to have a

A MID-TERM REVIEW
good marital communication, I sat down with my wife and talked about this issue. We
settled the problem and I dropped the second wife, who had become a problem in my
family. I did this because the show discouraged us from causing domestic violence in
our homes.” Father, 36, Bugiri
Collaborating partners appreciated STF’s comprehensive sexuality education approach,

which goes beyond adolescents to also target parents who are role models and
gatekeepers for young people and determine their development.
“STF has tried to reach young people from all regions of Uganda. It has even
introduced shows for parents, who are the caretakers of the primary audience. This is
a very good approach because caretakers are a threat to STF work for young people. If
caretakers are negative about issues, they influence young people’s attitudes.” BUNASO
manager, male, Bugiri
“These shows have helped

parents learn about guidance and
counselling for their young people.
Traditionally, parents used to
fear talking about such issues
and many used to pretend to be
busy on other things. The show
reminded them and gave them
confidence to start talking openly.”
Radio Station manager, male,
Eastern Voice, Bugiri
There were several reports of

a parent referring their spouse
to listen to the Parent Talk
show as a way of improving
knowledge and behaviour in
the family.
“I always encourage my wife to

listen to Embaha Ya Bebusi.
The show encouraged me to go
for VCT. Sometimes you could
involve yourself in risky behaviour
because you suspect yourself to
be already infected. But when
you test and results are negative,
you are encouraged to protect
yourself further.” Father, 38,
Bugiri
Lusamia Parent Talk journalist Resty
Nabwire interviews a parent in Bugiri.
Parent Talk radio show has
spawned many parent clubs:
among others, 13 for Lukhonzo, 8 for Lumasaba, four for Lugbara, seven for Ateso and
five for Lwo.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Challenges of Parent Talk

Parent Talk is a new show and programme, unlike the Straight Talk products, which
since 1993 have been generating conversation about how adolescents can better live
their lives. There are substantial cultural barriers to changing some of the less positive
parenting practices. There are even larger obstacles to overcoming some of the gender
norms that make marriage a risky setting, particularly for women. Though there is
much good and even heroic parenting, in many areas it appears that parents are simply
overwhelmed by poverty and the strain of providing for large families. Poverty has
affected the role of parents in managing children’s behaviour. Impoverished parents
cannot adequately provide for children’s basic needs. Consequently, children lose
respect for them.
“Children no longer have regard for elders because parents are very poor and are not
giving children the money to meet their needs or school fees. So no matter how many
times the parent cautions his child, the children undermine them. They look at them as
people who are useless.“ Female 17, out-of-school, Kasese
Some teachers and parents describe a collapse in parents, with parents not monitoring
or cautioning their children on risky behaviour.
“At times students leave their homes saying they are coming to school. They go and
visit their boyfriends. Parents are blamed for that neglect. When they send children to
school, they are done with them. They will never spare a single day to check on their
progress at school.” Teacher, Dede SS, Bugiri
“There is child neglect by parents. Parents do not guide their children. They are not
aware of the bad behaviours they are involved in. Even if they get to know, they do not
want to advise them right. We have poor parental family rules, which do not put tight
restrictions on youths. Father, 45, Bugiri
This mistrust and lack of parental supervision opens the door to behaviour such as
transactional sex as youth try to satisfy their needs and wants.
“The problem of money is doing more harm than good. There is a lot of poverty. It
has dragged many adolescents into sex, robbery, smoking weed, and smuggling so as
to live a better life. The most affected are the girls. The role of boys is to get girls
for these truck drivers, and they are paid money. Boys are giving away their sisters.
There is a lot of cross-generational sex, especially with truck drivers who have money. I
believe some of these men are infected with HIV.” Mother, 37, Bugiri
Parents and other adults face a challenge to keep children safe in situations of intense
poverty, and where leisure activities are linked to alcohol.
“We have many bars owned by parents. When children leave school in the evening,
they sell booze in the parents’ bars. This is risky since they interact with older people
who are drunk. A P6 boy was caught with a sugar mummy in the toilet near the bar.”
Teacher, female, Kibimba PS, Bugiri
Some parents are not supportive of education and prefer their children to do business,
particularly in fishing villages and rural communities.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“Parents should be enlightened about the importance of education. Most parents here
view domestic work as more important than sending children to school. Girls are
disadvantaged because they are made to work hard to prepare for future marriage.”
Mother, 37, Bugiri
Communities want STF to promote meaningful involvement of fathers in the lives

of their children. Traditionally, male parents are expected to be silent about most life
issues with their children, let alone sexuality.
“Male parents here fear to talk to their children. They think it is a mother’s job which is
wrong. Please educate fathers on how to interact with the children.” Father, Kitgum
Communities lament that female parents have been left to shoulder all the parenting.
Some respondents said that fathers have disengaged from parenting.
“The father-to-child relationship should be more addressed. We male parents are not
involved in development of our children. We think it’s the role of the mothers. Even
our children fear us because we rarely communicate to them.” Father, Bugiri
“In this village of Namasere, it is mostly the women who control the children and
families in terms of children upbringing. Men should also stand up to participate in
child upbringing. Since children fear male parents, they should be the ones to take the
leadership in this. The problem is they just sit behind and watch children and their
mothers.” Father, 45, Bugiri
Although Parent Talk radio shows have interviewed polygamous families, it needs to
do more to unpack the special complexities of such households.
“Parent Talk should address issues in polygamous families. These people need skills
on how to solve their marital problems and meet their children’s needs. I suggest you
empower such families with skills that would enable them maintain their relationships
free of HIV and raise up well-behaved children.” Mother, 36, Bugiri
Case study: Musasa Parent Talk club
The Musasa Parent Talk club has 15 members, men and women, although many more
benefit from its activities. The club’s objectives reflect key social issues in Musasa: to
reduce domestic violence; promote unity in families and in the community; eradicate
family poverty; promote education; and sensitise the community on HIV/AIDS
We are 15 members. We were met by Biira Gedi of Straight Talk who talked to us about
STF and issues like domestic violence, girl child education, and HIV/AIDS prevention.
We picked interest and we moved around visiting other women and community clubs
spreading the same gospel. Following this, members from other groups advised that we
form a parents club which is here today. ” Parent, female
“Activities include sensitising both parents and children on the ills of domestic violence,
HIV transmission and prevention, early pregnancies and girl child education. This is
geared at community transformation and a safe, healthy and wealthy community.” Club
leader

A MID-TERM REVIEW
The club has a nursery bed from seeds from STF. Plants are given to members for
their individual gardens to increase income in households. The club also has a
saving and credit scheme.
“We have this to raise money for our families. We believe that in the future parents
will be able to borrow money to pay their children’s fees or start family self-help
projects.” Masika Joyce, mother
Parents reported that the club has improved relationships with their children.
Parents said they had learnt to talk with adolescents without causing resentment and
rebellion.
“This club has been so useful to me as a parent. It has taught me how to talk to
my children, especially girls. How we should appreciate, counsel and guide them
instead of shouting at them, accusing, beating and shying away from them. I have
through this method succeeded in discouraging my children from joining bad groups.”
Gorretti, mother, Kasese
Some individuals noted that these improvements had reduced disagreements and
improved harmony in the household.
STF researchers meet with Musasa Parent Talk club

during the mid-term evaluation.
“I thank the club for teaching me how to relate with my children and family. That
children don’t have to be shouted at, dictated upon and denied from participating in
the welfare of the home. I have learnt that it’s very healthy to have discussions with
your children and wife, share ideas, solve problems and comfort each other. This has
reduced disagreements and improved understanding of the family’s financial status.”
Bwambale, father, Kasese
“From the show and club, I learnt that domestic violence is bad and leads to family
breakups. I learnt that shouting, fighting and drinking is not the solution to family
problems but that mutual understanding and sharing of ideas and bearing with one
another’s burdens is the best way. As I talk now the domestic violence that existed in

A MID-TERM REVIEW
my home is no more. We’ve tried to understand and tolerate each other and solve
problems together.” Dovico, mother, Kasese
Parents were talking more about sex, and there were improvements in gender
relations.
“I have learnt that women are not supposed to be raped or forced into sex. That sex
takes the consent of two people and if she says no, then I should respect her feelings.
It has basically taught me how to love, respect and treasure my wife.” Mujungu,
male parent
Teacher trainings
Since 1996, STF’s Outreach and Training Department (OTD) has conducted ASRH
outreach trainings to teachers in primary and secondary schools. These also involve
school administrators, local health workers, and parents on school management
committees. Over the years, the format of the training has evolved, with more and
more focus on the teachers’ own lives as the period under review progressed.
During 2006 to mid-2008, STF worked with teachers in either two to three day
workshops. Each workshop would have about 60 participants from about 20 schools
under one Coordinating Centre Tutor (CCT).
The first day of the workshop focuses strongly on teachers’ own personal SRH lives.
Topics include what is sexuality, what is marriage for, faithfulness, family planning,
discordance, couple dialogue, positive living with HIV, and others. According to OTD
Manager Jerolam Omach, the highest priority topics for teachers are SRH worries such
as sexual performance and relationships.
Then, in addition,
Primary the STF
teachers training team covers in depth more PIASCY-like concepts
training
such
Day1as understanding adolescence, designing
Day2 school ASRH action plans, utilisation of
STF/PIASCY materials, and formation or management of clubs.
Understanding human Exploring adolescence and peer education – focus
sexuality and HIV/AIDS on adolescents
- focus on teachers
Pre-test Reflecting on day-one
What is sexuality & HIV/AIDS? Understanding adolescence dev’t & gender: being a
girl/boy
Gender roles/inequalities Factors influencing adolescents’ sexual behavior
Gender violence How can teachers support adolescents at schools?
Energizer/The rhythm What is peer education and what roles for teachers?
Love, Marriage & sex Work plans
Day-one evaluation Workshop evaluation and post-test
During 2006 to mid-2008, OTD completed teacher trainings for all primary schools (a
total of 2642) in 15 districts. Three teachers, including an administrator, attended per
school, totaling 6090 teachers in three years. The districts were Hoima, Soroti, Kabarole,
Mbale, Kumi, Apac, Mukono, Kiboga, Mayuge, Yumbe, Moyo, Katakwi, Amuria,

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Kisoro, Kaberamaido, Arua, Kampala, Gulu (GYC) and Kitgum (KYC)
During the period under review, the OTD team also conducted secondary school
teachers’ trainings, which focused on the ASRH issues of older adolescents as well
as on how to form and mentor Straight Talk clubs in schools. Since 2006, they have
trained 506 secondary school teachers in club management from 13 districts.
Senior district officials in education and health departments help OTD staff to identify
and select schools. The main criterion in this process is schools where RH risks were
deemed to be particularly high. STF expects peer-to-peer learning to take place in the
clubs. As of the time of the evaluation (mid-2008), a total of 639 STF in-school clubs
were registered in the database. Roughly one third (34%, 218 clubs) are a result of STF
trainings conducted between 2005 and 2008.
STF also carries out face-to-face work in schools on the behalf of or side by side with
other partners. For example, STF staff have been an integral part of MOES teams
rolling out PIASCY to primary and secondary schools. In 2007 STF signed a two
year contract with Population Services International (PSI) to work with girl students,
teachers, relevant organisations and district officials on an advocacy campaign to
prevent cross-generational sex between 15-19 year old girls and older men in Mukono,
Wakiso, Mpigi, Masaka and Luwero districts. To date STF has reached 440 girls and
85 teacher mentors from 44 schools as well as 199 district and CBO/NGO officials.
In Pader in 2008, STF trained 30 teachers in primary schools on ASRH and clubs in
collaboration with CESVI.
What teachers think about STF trainings

This mid-term evaluation found positive outcomes of STF’s teacher trainings in Kitgum
and Bugiri districts. (No trainings were conducted in Kasese during this period.)
The trainings appear to instil in participants a sense of responsibility about ASRH.
Participants begin to look at themselves as ambassadors left behind to further ASRH
work. Trained teachers act as focal persons for STF follow up and monitoring.
“We went for the training and I don’t think STF wasted its money. I feel after such
training, we must apply our skills, not just sit on them. The teacher training helped
us to know RH and HIV transmission. It equipped us with skills and helped us to get
commitment to handle any RH problems of our pupils. We are here to support Straight
Talk work to others.” Teacher, male, Alima Lagot PS, Kitgum
The evaluation showed that trained teachers were implementing the activities of
PIASCY.
“We have been having PIASCY in school for a long time. I used to look at it as a
normal programme. After attending the STF training, that’s when I realised how
important is sex education to our students. We designed some health messages and
displayed them in our compound. We also participate in the guidance and counselling
sessions. Previously this work was done by senior woman teacher, but now we support
her.” Teacher, male, Alima Lagot PS, Kitgum
The training made teachers more aware of the need for sex education. They learnt
about ASRH risks and how to address them.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“The training helped me to know the RH risks of young people. It helped me acquire
skills that would help me approach the problems of young people. I gained confidence
to approach anything without shying away.” Head teacher, male, Alima Lagot PS,
Kitgum
Trained teachers and students mobilise others for STF activities. Trained teachers in
secondary schools act as patrons in charge of overall management for the Straight
Talk clubs and seek permission from school administrators for club activities. As one
student explained:
“Our Straight Talk club has got a patron who is a teacher for geography and religious
education and a senior man teacher. The director of studies also supports the club.
These two help us plan and implement club activities. They ask for permission to allow
STF’s teacher trainings are conducted with male and female teachers
working separately about half the time. The women teachers in the top
photo (Alua PS in Arua) and the male teachers in the photo below (Alem PS
in Kabermaido) display what they have written about sexuality and happy
marriage.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
club activities in the school. They attend our guidance and counselling sessions for the
entire school. They help to keep order and also respond to student questions which
members can’t handle.” Student FGD, Dede SS Straight Talk club, Bugiri
Some school administrators were very supportive of Straight Talk clubs, including
them on the schedule and providing meeting space and stationery materials.
“The school is very willing to include ST club activities on the school timetable. It
allocates time for our activities, even those that require the whole school. The school
stops classes for the students to participate in the organised activities. The school
administrators provide chalk and paper to use in the club.” Student FGD, mixed
gender, Dede SS Straight Talk club, Bugiri
Challenges
Untrained teachers frequently perceive themselves as unable to provide HIV and
sex education, leaving ASRH to STF-trained teachers. Trained teachers said taking
responsibility for this is a heavy burden on top of their daily schoolwork.
This suggests that STF-trained teachers share little of what they have learnt with other
teachers, yet STF trainings were designed on an assumption that this would happen.
“Some teachers think it’s us, the trained teachers, who are responsible for handling
the children’s problems, which is wrong. We try to involve them but it’s a very
big challenge, even for the head teacher. We also have class work we have to do.”
[Teacher, Alima PS, Kitgum]
Teacher Talk newspaper

In 2002, STF launched a newspaper called Teacher Talk. Produced with the Ministry of
Education and Sports (MoES), it aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning,
school retention, management of ASRH, and teachers’ own sexual health. It reinforces
STF teacher trainings and Young Talk. After appearing regularly in 2002-4, Teacher Talk
appeared only sporadically from 2006 to mid-2008 due to lack of funds.
Year # issues Topic(s)

2004 3 March: Take care of your sexual health; June: Quality education:
how can we make our school good?; Sept: Every teacher is a
counsellor
2005 3 Feb: Every teacher is a leader; July: Parent involvement in
teachers’ performance; Oct: Teachers and HIV
2006 0 -
2007 1 Effective teaching and learning
2008 2 Feb: Is your school HIV-friendly? July: Teacher absenteeism
2009 3 Feb: Teacher professionalism; May: Positive discipline; July: To be

decided (projected)
With a print run of 260,000-300,000, Teacher Talk is inserted into The New Vision and sent
to 13,755 primary schools as well as teacher training colleges, district education offices
and interested CBO/FBOs. STF and the MoES decide Teacher Talk topics together, and

A MID-TERM REVIEW
the activity is supported by the USAID-funded project, UNITY. The STF M&E and
Editorial departments pre-test each Teacher Talk before publication.
Despite only appearing three times from 2006 to mid-2008, Teacher Talk is well known
and popular with teachers. It appears to have strengthened collaboration between STF,
MoES and schools. The MoES uses it to communicate to teachers. Since all schools
work under the MoES, Teacher Talk is well used by schools. This mid-term survey
found that Teacher Talk helped teachers in their daily work and enhanced their SRH.
Teachers perceived the paper as educative and a reminder of their professional code of
conduct. The most recalled messages were about healthy pupil-teacher relationships.
“Teacher Talk reminds and guides me on the teacher’s code of conduct. I know how far
I should relate with my students. They are very innocent people who need my support.
As teachers we are supposed to help students have a safer life because we were also
once like them.” Teacher, male, Alima PS, Kitgum
“Teacher Talk has reminded me about the teachers’ ethics and I have tried to practice
what is said. I always have a good relationship with my students. I don’t want to harm
them or affect their education. I provide guidance and counselling. I give them tips on
how to perform well in class and avoid risks that may affect their education. I give them
the necessary life skills to grow healthily.” Teacher, male, Kibimba PS, Bugiri
Some teachers said that they had learnt how to help poor class performers. Some
adopted teaching strategies described in the paper, such as frequent class assessments.
“Teacher Talk has helped me get concerned about my students’ performance. I

now perform weekly evaluations in form of quiz or debates. I give them questions
that require them to think about what I have taught. This exercise has helped them
learn and master the topics taught. I got this concern from Teacher Talk. The paper
encourages us to use alternative ways to improve students’ performance.” Teacher,
Hindocha PS, Bugiri
Some emphasized that the paper had educated them on SRH and HIV prevention for
themselves and pupils. However, some wanted still more.
”Teacher Talk has taught us about our own problems. The truth is that sometimes we
don’t even know what to do for young people. These things of HIV/AIDS and adolescent
health… people think we know them but they forget we are also just learning. We
need to be given the right information to convey to the students.” Teachers, group
interview, Maliba PS, Kasese
Challenges
Teacher Talk was planned to be termly, but just three issues have been produced in the
period under review (2006 to mid-2008).
“Teacher Talk is good for us teachers but it should be more regular.” Teachers, group
interview, Maliba PS, Kasese
Some teachers felt that Teacher Talk over-stressed teacher misconduct towards pupils
and that this tarnished them in society.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“Teacher Talk is good and educative. It guides teachers on ways of handling children,
teachers’ behaviours, life skills and moral conduct. However, it has a biased approach.
It is ever accusing teachers of being sexual harassers, and yet not all teachers do so.
STF should stop generalizing. We are embarrassed in front of our pupils and people
around us.” Teacher, male, Hindocha PS, Bugiri
For many reasons, teachers have difficulty sharing information with each other.
Schools lack a focal person to facilitate use of Teacher Talk. STF suggests reading
Teacher Talk in a group: the front page often has a cartoon, showing teachers sharing a
copy. However, most teachers seem to read Teacher Talk on their own.
Some teachers wanted to participate more in Teacher Talk but said they did not know
how.
“STF should create an Office of Teacher Talk in the district where teachers can go and
give their opinion. It could also act as a place where we can learn more from the people
we meet there. Otherwise we read the papers but can’t provide feedback. Everyone
reads for his own benefit.” Teacher, male, Alima Lagot PS, Kitgum
Teachers looked at the paper as a potential avenue to address employer and employee
tensions since both teachers and school administrators read the paper.
“I want you to talk about employer to employee relationship. Employers do not put into
consideration the employee’s health. They are concerned about work only. In case of
absenteeism, your money is deducted regardless of the cause. Yet on many occasions,
we do not intend to absent ourselves. But headteachers do not listen to such excuses.”
Teacher, Hindocha PS, Bugiri
District leader meetings

District leader meetings were introduced in 2004 for local leaders, senior district
officials, and organisations with a stake in HIV, ASRH and youth. In one-day training
workshops, participants examine ASRH and how they might support young people.
Between 2006 and mid 2008, such meetings were held in 15 districts, the same districts
where OTD conducted teacher trainings, including five districts in the North and East.
District officials and LCs appreciated STF and were grateful for the opportunity to
participate in ASRH work.
“As a partner we have enjoyed a good working relationship with STF. There have been
mutual consultations before Straight Talk performed its trainings in the district. I would
recommend that we continue to work as before by sharing information before initiating
interventions.” Thomas Ojok, District HIV/AIDS coordinator, Kitgum town council
The workshops raised the awareness of STF products among senior district officials
(especially education and health officials) and created a conducive environment.
“I know STF is out there helping the youth on issues regarding their sexual health. I
understand Straight Talk work and I recommend it to all our youths. Their work has
helped many of our young and adult people. We are so happy about it.” Male, LC1
leader, Aweno, Kitgum

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Chapter 6
Working with partners
What the Strategic Plan said: To continously improve the quality and coverage of
STF’s communication projects by working more with communities.
STF has working partnerships of varying degrees of formality with community

organisations and institutions. Currently, the database of groups receiving STF papers
includes 1546 CBOs, 1073 churches and mosques, 494 NGOs, 40 radio stations and
1728 heath units. Since about 2001 STF has made attempts to formalise the relationship
with some of the larger groups, asking them to sign a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) expressing intent to work together to improve ASRH. STF commits to supplying
a “Straight Talk Available here” signpost as well as monthly copies of STF papers.
Distribution list: January 2009

CATEGORY Number CATEGORY Number
CBOs 1566 NGOs 463
Islamic/mosques 48 Churches 1129
Primary schools 13,735 Secondary schools 3198
Young Talk Clubs 112 Straight Talk Clubs 720
PTCs/CCTs 578 Tertiary Institutions 531
Health centers 1728 Radio stations 40
Police 119 Prisons 56
Libraries 26 MPs 304

A MID-TERM REVIEW
About every two years, STF writes to all receiving groups and cleans the database.
In 2008 it wrote to all schools, CBOs and health centres, enclosing a stamped self-
addressed envelope and a questionnaire. This helps STF to know what partners
do, where they work, how they use STF products, and what resources they have.
STF’s collaboration with grassroots groups is pivotal to its strategy. The mid-term
evaluators interviewed staff from partner organisations about their perceptions of and
recommendations about STF work.
What partners think about STF

Overall, community agencies were deeply grateful for the monthly STF papers.
“We are an organisation implementing behaviour change in communities. We sensitise

them on staying safe and give them STF materials to read. Surely, we do not have the
appropriate information for each category of people we interact with. STF materials
are like our Bible. They guide us on right messaging.” Programme Director, male,
YEFAAP, Bugiri
Partners said that STF increases protective behaviours, including abstinence, condom
use and VCT, and effectively addresses the SRH information needs of the young.
“STF has preached the appropriate gospel to young people to prompt behaviour change.
It has played a leading role in creating awareness on HIV prevention. It has prompted
abstinence, condom use and VCT. There are young people who come here for VCT
because of STF. In our area, STF products are the only programmes targeting young
people.” Health worker, female, Banda HC3, Bugiri
Partners use STF papers to give direction and talking points to staff.
“Straight Talk products help us during our community trainings. We get facts that
we use in packaging our messages on HIV and staying safe. All those topics are
well addressed in STF papers. The papers they send us are of great use. STF
has contributed much to the work of other organisations. Even our leaders have
appreciated.” Programme officer, Kinyamasike Youth in Development, Kasese
Some CBOs give out STF papers as reading materials for people who attend face-to-
face sensitisations.
“STF has facilitated our work. Their newspapers have guided us a lot. Our CBO has
peace and conflict resolution clubs in schools. We also sensitise youths on dangers of
early pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. STF print materials have really empowered us to answer
youths’ questions on growing up and SRH.” Programme Coordinator, Rwenzori
Peace Building, Kasese
“STF literature us has helped us access information for our work. We have at least
a reference where we get appropriate answers. We compile questions from SYFA and
use them during our behaviour change communication with young people. We conduct
trainings and give participants Straight Talk. Some adults don’t know these things. “
Director, male, YEFAAP CBO, Bugiri
STF has partnerships with district bodies, including health and education offices
and NGO coordinating bodies. STF supplies them with papers, and STF staff make

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Karimojong parents and youth in Moroto: Note the “Straight

Talk available here” sign.
courtesy calls on them when in a district. These officials find STF papers relevant
to local needs. In Kitgum, partners appreciated STF efforts to deliver youth-friendly
services.
“We refer youths to KYC for life skills and VCT. People believe in them more than
us. This collaboration has helped us take our services deeper into the villages.” Male,
ACET, Kitgum
The mid-term evaluators found that local radio stations airing STF radio shows were
grateful for the partnership. They thanked STF for
producing age-specific information, increasing their
educative broadcasting, growing their listeners and
informing their staff.
“Straight Talk has facilitated us in that it pays for the

shows each time they are aired. They increase our income,
and this builds our station. STF shows have earned
us more listeners. The shows have been a source of
knowledge to staff. We use the messages in other shows
Sign for one of the stations that we produce.” Manager, male, Radio Messiah, Kasese
airing the Lufumbira Straight
Talk radio show.
“STF shows have boosted ours listenership. The popularity
of the STF show for young people has attracted many
listeners, young and old. We tell this from the number of people who come to our
offices for inquiries or to drop their feedback letters. We used not to have young people
coming. It has also increased the educative shows on our station. They are the only
shows we have targeting a specific category of people, like young people and parents.
The rest of the shows address the whole community.” Manager, male, Eastern Voice
Radio station, Bugiri
The radio stations said that the STF radio shows have helped them to meet their
objectives. Almost all the radio stations visited wanted health shows in the local
language and were happy that STF supplied them.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“Our station has a strategy of reaching out to communities with health education. STF
shows for young people and parents have added on the number of educative shows we
have for our listeners. STF shows are in local language, which is understood by the in
and out-of-school young people. Local languages shows are a very good idea. STF can
be assured that it is reaching 70% of its target audience. The only young people not
reached are those who can’t hear and have no radios.” Manager, male, Eastern Voice
Radio station, Bugiri
Challenges
Partnerships can be problematic, but they can also provide valuable feedback. For
example, this partner had was worried that STF messages might increase GBV.
“The thing that I am most worried about is STF’s approach to packaging gender equity.
The empowerment given to girls might increase domestic violence. Once girls are
empowered, they lose the attitude of submissiveness to spouses. Yet in our society men
were born to be leaders and decisionmakers in their homes.” Manager, male, Uganda
Red Cross, Bugiri
Many NGOs and CBOs are involved in work that is very similar to STF work. Greater
impact could be achieved with more coordination with partners. Most partners
complain of insufficient copies and could achieve more if copies were increased.
Case study: Bugiri district
STF’s work in Bugiri is a microcosm of what STF does nationwide. The district
receives the following STF materials: Young Talk and Straight Talk monthly; Teacher
Talk, Farm Talk and Tree Talk when published; the English Straight Talk radio show;
the Lusamia and Lusoga Straight Talk radio shows and the Lusamia Parent Talk
show. The newspapers are sent to all primary and secondary schools (209 and
51 respectively), three tertiary institutions, 30 health centres, four churches, one
mosque and 52 CBOs. In total Bugiri receives about 6000 copies of Straight Talk and
Young Talk every month.
For the mid-term review, the evaluators spoke to staff of three CBOs and one
national NGO and a midwife from a health centre. All five individuals described the
primacy of STF in their work with young people. It is noteworthy that prior to the
mid-term STF had little face-to-face contact with these colleagues and was not aware
of the role STF materials were playing in supporting their work.
The Executive Director of the CBO YEFAAP, Matyoli David Innocent, began by
explaining his history with STF.
“I first got involved with STF when I was still at school by being a member of an ST
club. Later I started YEFAAP, a behaviour change communication agency. We have
been using copies of the STF papers from the District Health Office. We would like to
start receiving our own copies. STF has caused information accessibility to families
that can’t speak openly to their children. These radio programs and papers are doing
wonders on young peoples’ health.”

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Praising STF’s work for complimenting the national HIV framework and using
local language, he nevertheless critisized STF for not always responding to
readers’ questions and for having little face-to-face contact with districts. He
advised STF to work through organisations like his.
“YEFAAP conducts trainings and formation of youth clubs. STF can utilize those
interventions for its work. It has to collaborate with organisations doing the same
work.”
The second CBO leader interviewed was Anyenga Melda, project manager of
Sigulu Women AIDS Awareness Organisation (SIWAAO) on Sigulu Islands in Lake
Victoria. Her CBO also did not have any direct contact with STF and received STF
papers from the Irish NGO Goal. The
papers are vital to SIWAAO, and she
attributed behaviour change to them.
“STF print materials are the only

interventions we have for young people on
the island. STF programs are behaviour
change tools with very important information
for young people. Young people who are
beneficiaries of Straight Talk are well behaved
because they are aware of the consequences of
their actions. Young people are more aware of
STF Lusamia journalist interviews Hajati HIV issues than adults. This could be because
Mariam Odwori, project manager of a Bugiri of STF work.”
CBO Hukesekho Lwangosia Women’s Group
She also praised STF’s multi-channel local language approach: “STF uses more
than one channel and uses local languages understood to the locals.” However, she
thought STF should use a Stepping Stones approach.
The third CBO leader was Betty Waiswa, project officer of Bugiri Network of AIDS
Service Organisation (BUNASO). She also belonged to a Straight Talk club in school,
a role she said helped her career.
“We used to conduct guidance and counselling. This helped me acquire confidence
to speak in public. STF helps in building confidence among young people. This (is)
an opportunity for their career.”
BUNASO receives STF print materials but just ten copies a month per paper.
“Our network has been collaborating with STF for long. We distribute copies to
development organisations registered with BUNASO. Unfortunately we get very few
copies so each organisation gets just one.”
Like the previous two CBO staff, Waiswa also attributed behaviour change to STF.
“STF has instilled good morals in young people. Beneficiaries are aware of
consequences that may result from their actions, and very many are abstaining and
concentrating on their studies.”

A MID-TERM REVIEW
And yet, she critisized STF for not having focal points or branches and felt that STF
should work more through local groups.
“I do not think that STF is reaching out with the right dose of interventions.
STF lacks face-to-face interaction. Many young people dream of talking face-to-face
with an STF official. They love Straight Talk messages and want a chat with those
people they hear on radio or read about in newspapers.”
Bavunana George is the field coordinator for Uganda Red Cross in Bugiri. He uses
STF print materials for Red Cross clubs in and out of school.
“Beneficiaries of STF develop the skill of assertiveness, especially the girls. We

find girls who read Straight Talk more open in health talks. These products build
confidence.”
The final Bugiri resident interviewed was Olunbe Gertrude, midwife at Banda
Health Centre III. Unlike the previous interviewees, she was in frequent contact
with STF. The Lusamia radio journalist would visit her at least three times a year
and feature her as the counsellor in about six out of 52 radio shows.
“I do not know how to state it but STF has done a lot for the young people. It’s upon
the youth to change. We have discovered that young people who approach us know
the right answers. They come to confirm what they read in Straight Talk. When young
people saw the “Straight Talk available here” sign, they knew we had STF newspapers.
Since then they come every month for new copies which get finished within the month
we receive them.” [Midwife, female, Banda HC3, Bugiri]
These interviews are a wake up call for STF. Clearly the content of the papers and
radio shows is excellent – deeply appreciated and believed to be bringing about
change. But STF has been radically undersupplying copies and not developing the
constructive relationship that could have led to a much greater multiplier effect.
None of the CBOs had ever contacted STF to ask for more copies or to extend their
relationship with STF, but STF had not been to visit them to explore that option
either.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Chapter 7
Recommendations
and conclusions
In late 2005 STF drew up a new Strategic Plan for 2006 to 2010. Halfway through the
Plan’s implementation period, this mid-term evaluation shows STF achieving well
against the targets it set itself, particularly in radio.
STF’s approach is to hold multiple “conversations” in many languages and disseminate

them through multiple communication channels (radio, print and face to face). This
approach appears to “work”. This mid-term found communities trusting the STF
brand and associating exposure to STF products with safer behaviours and healthier
attitudes.
Furthermore, STF’s conversations appear to have remained gripping and relevant. This
mid-term could have found young people and adults saying that STF’s material were
boring, stale and off-the-mark. Instead, it found young people and adults able to recall
instructive stories they had read in the STF papers or heard on the STF radio shows
and wanting more of everything that STF produces.
It seems certain that, at this point in time, STF remains popular and credible. It reaches
millions of people -- including the very vulnerable -- every week at very low cost. It
is perceived by its beneficiaries -- the consumers of its products and services -- to be
helpful as they navigate the complexities of growing up, managing their sexuality,
staying in school, entering relationships, and preventing HIV infection and other
undesired RH consequences.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
In the period under review, STF has pursued its objectives with tenacity and focus. The
main constraint has been financial.
A key conclusion of this mid-term is that insufficient donor funds meant that many
young people did not get what they need. A key recommendation is to seek more
funding.
The two key objectives

STF has two strategic objectives for the period 2006-2010 that have been exhaustively
investigated by this mid-term review:
1. To continuously improve the quality and coverage of STF’s communication projects
for adolescents.
2. To increase the existing and to intiate new communication projects with adults and
improve their quantity, quality and coverage.
With respect to Objective 1, lack of funding severely affected “coverage”. This is

reflected in this mid-term review in the many statements from respondents about
copies of STF newspapers not being enough, visits from STF staff to schools and clubs
being few and far between or entirely lacking, and the drying up of Teacher Talk and
local language editions of Straight Talks.
However, lack of funding has not affected STF’s objective to continuously improve the
quality of its communication work with adolescents. Through the period 2006-2008
STF appears to have maintained and probably even increased quality. This is reflected
in the many statements from respondents about what they have learnt and how they
have benefited from STF newspapers, radio shows, outreaches and youth centres. The
statements by CBOs about the role of STF papers in their outreach working shows STF
to be an indispensable resource for both young people and adults.
During the period 2006 to mid-2008, STF achieved its second objective. Objective 2 is
to increase the existing and to intiate new communication projects with adults and
improve their quantity, quality and coverage.
By starting radio shows in nine languages for parents, STF successfully surpassed
its target of broadcasting Parent Talk in eight languages. Besides meeting the
quantitative target, these shows are of undisputed quality, as reflected in statements
from parents about how they had benefited from them. In Uganda, these radio shows
are possibly the only on-going mass media effort for creating a conversation on safe
marriages, adult sexuality and constructive parenting. They were ahead of their time
in addressing the older married age into which the HIV epidemic has shifted. As such,
they potentially play a particularly critical role in HIV prevention and mitigation.
However, communication with teachers actually declined in the period 2006 to mid-
2008. Teacher Talk came out infrequently, and there was no large scale funding of teacher
sensitisations. This again is regrettable as teachers are both a high risk group for HIV
themselves and a critical influence on the development of lifeskills and knowledge in
adolescents.
Recommendations on work with adolescents

STF has “proof of concept” with its radio and print work with adolescents. Proof
comes from the Population Council study (Adamchak, 2007) as well as this mid-term,

A MID-TERM REVIEW
in which quote after quote states that STF radio shows and newspapers are often
the only source of ASRH knowledge for young people and that what they provide is
comprehensive, interactive and impactful.
All STF communication work with adolescents has been and will continue to be
evidenced-based and in line with the Uganda AIDS Commission’s National HIV/AIDS
Strategic Plan 2007/8-2011/12: Moving toward universal access.
From the coverage perspective, STF needs to urgently acquire funds to increase its
print runs for Young Talk and Straight Talk. These have stagnated since 2003-4. STF also
needs to urgently acquire funding to bring out more frequent editions of Straight Talk in
four or five languages.
From a quality perspective, STF needs to remain vigilant - as it has been - about the
content of its print material. This mid-term review identified several groups of most-
at-risk-adolescents (some of which were identified in the Strategic Plan), including
married adolescents, orphans and vulnerable children, adolescents in fishing
communities, and adolescents with problem parents (e.g., those who are alcohol
dependent and/or do not value education and/or encourage early marriage). As much
as possible, STF needs to make its materials relevant to these groups, while not losing
mainstream youth. STF also needs to continue to pay attention to avoiding “strong and
difficult” language.
As an integral part of its print material methodology, STF needs to encourage

adolescents to take part in the paper, mainly by writing in. In turn, STF needs to make
sure that it promptly responds to every letter. There were many complaints about slow
response from STF to letter writers. STF now has systems in place to improve this.
Although immensely time-consuming and painstaking, it is rewarding. In 2008 Young
Talk and Straight Talk together received close to 7000 letters.
From the coverage perspective in radio, STF needs to make sure funding is adequate
to maintain all its existing youth radio shows. There is no region that does not need a
youth show.
Further to that, it needs to urgently seek funds to continue adding on local language
radio shows for youth. The following linguistic groups do not yet have radio shows
in their mother tongues — the Madi, Alur, Bagwere, Kakwa and Japdhola. Unless
they speak English or the language of an adjacent linquistic group, they are effectively
isolated from ASRH conversation. Broadcasting in these additional languages would
bring in about 330,000 new listeners aged 10-24.
By cutting the number of stations on which the English Straight Talk show is broadcast,
STF may be able to make immediate savings with which to increase Young Talk and
Straight Talk print runs and add a new local language radio show.
From a quality perspective, STF radio has many of the same concerns as STF print. It
must make strenuous efforts to address the most-at-risk-adolescents as above. Indeed,
radio is in a position to do this more effectively than print since the most-at-risk are less
likely to be literate.
As with print, STF radio also must remain sensitive to its audience and answer all

A MID-TERM REVIEW
letters promptly, a daunting task as the department receives over four time times the
number of letters as print, about 29,000 in 2008. For credibility with listeners, the radio
department must obey the imperative to stay young. This means constantly recruiting
and training new radio journalists aged 18-22 for whom STF is always their first job.
For its face-to-face work with adolescents, STF needs to urgently seek funds to
visit more schools and out-of-school clubs and run its peer education systems more
intensively. One way to get scale up of face-to-face work is to work through high-
functioning CBOs and ST clubs as shown by the case study on Bugiri. STF could
franchise out much of its on-the-ground work to community groups that are entirely in
consonance with STF’s approach. This would require STF’s outreach and training team
to switch into an new mode of managing CBOs to do at least some of the face-to-face
work rather than always sending teams from Kampala to do it.
STF needs to formalise and finalise its peer training curricula and other face-to-face
formats, including its “talks”, to generate new thinking about gender in boys and girls,
parents and teachers.
This mid-term review shows that STF’s youth centres in northern Uganda carry out
immensely valuable work. They are grievously under-funded with salary scales far
below those of other national NGOs working in HIV. STF needs to take time to polish
its protocols with respect to different groups in conflict areas: married adolescents,
parents, adolescent couples, former child soldiers, warriors and others.
Despite pressure from funders to carry out VCT as a prevention method, the youth
centres need to stand their ground and forge their own balance between talk-work
and biomedical approaches such as VCT. The current evidence shows that VCT and
knowledge of HIV status does not lead to reduced chances of acquiring HIV among
people who test HIV negative (Matovu et al., 2005; Corbett E et al., 2007).
All of STF’s work with adolescents needs new input on how to handle the most
fundamental but most complex of the social factors underpinning the HIV epidemic:
gender norms. STF needs to seek support from inside and outside Uganda on
best practices in creating and sustaining healthier gender and cultural norms. The
predicament of the majority of girls in rural areas is nothing short of calamitous.
Recommendations on work with parents

In the three districts studied for this mid-term review, adolescents told the STF
evaluators in no uncertain terms that parents were often the source of their problems,
e.g., parents who force girls to marry early or fathers who take on more wives while
not providing for their existing families.
The tragedy is that the converse is true. With strong, involved and constructive
parenting, many adolescents can overcome deprivation, achieve relative success even
in poor educational establishments, withstand many of the ravages of conflict, and
emerge into adulthood as healthy and productive adults. However, where parents are
struggling with drink, are overwhelmed by problems to the extent of being inattentive
to their children, or are actively negative about education, adolescents fare very poorly.
This is particularly true for girls.
Adolescents pleaded with the mid-term evaluators that STF needed to do more to

A MID-TERM REVIEW
change the mindset of their parents, often with respect to alcohol abuse but also with
respect to parents producing large families and neglecting the children who are already
born.
“Talk to parents to take their children to school instead of spending their money on
alcohol. Many youths have lost sense of focus for the future since they do not have
money for their school fees. Parents are wasting a lot of money on buying booze
every day. They have forgotten all about the needs of the family.” Out-of-school
adolescent, Kitgum
STF needs to be at the forefront of addressing alcohol abuse. Indeed, STF and local
partners could work together to advocate for by-laws on risk factors such as alcohol
abuse that clearly blight young people’s lives.
STF also needs to be at the forefront of making family planning a friendly and
attractive concept for communities. Finally, it needs to vigorously address the complex
gender norms in families that are so detrimental to young people, especially girls.
Many respondents spoke movingly of the problem of disengaged and uninterested
fathers as well as the suffering of girls.
With the above in mind and the shift of the epidemic into married couples, Parent Talk
radio becomes a very important vehicle for many critical conversations. Currently 75%
of new HIV infections are occurring in the over 25s (Wabwire-Mangen, 2008).
STF needs to maintain the Parent Talk radio show in its existing nine languages as well
as expand into several more. It needs to be developed into a brand just as Straight Talk
has been. Parent talk’s gender analysis needs to be acute since the multiple partnerships
as well as the alcohol abuse driving the epidemic are mostly a male phenomena.
The show should initiate fundamental new conversations on what is a family, what
is a couple, what is marriage for, what is sexuality, what is sex for and others. A
harmonious family is the fundamental environment for children to grow, develop and
flourish. Parents need to be motivated to support their children’s education. They
need extra motivation and persuasion to support the education of girls.
With the exception of those few with reservations about STF’s openness, the vast
majority of parents recognise and appreciate STF’s work for youth. Even those with
reservations that STF’s “straightness” might spoil their children are still often reliant on
STF for the provision of SRH knowledge to young people. Parents with reservations
about STF’s conversation can be won over by persistent high quality work that visibly
benefits them and their children and by encouraging dialogue among groups of
parents.
As with its face-to-face work with adolescents, STF needs to document, formalise and
finalise its approach to working with parents, male and female.
Recommendations on work with teachers

Teacher Talk is an important newspaper for the largest group of civil servants and
professionals in Uganda. The mid-term research revealed that teachers were grateful to
it for supporting them with information about their professional ethics and the creation
of healthy relationships with learners.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
“Teacher Talk educates us about teachers’ behaviours towards pupils. We learn how
to help our students to get a better school performance. We learn a lot of things
concerning our pupils and ourselves.” Teacher, primary school, Bugiri
Teachers also said Teacher Talk is a good source of information on their own SRH
development and new teaching strategies.
However, STF could do far more to develop Teacher Talk, expanding and elaborating it
to make it more impactful. Since 2006, due to sporadic funding, there have been only
three issues of Teacher Talk instead of the planned six or seven. STF urgently needs
to ensure that Teacher Talk appears every term (three times a year), so that teachers
come to rely on it and start a conversation within it, as has occurred with STF’s youth
publications. This will benefit not only teachers’ own SRH but also that of adolescents
as teachers become generally more effective in the classroom as well as better
communicators on ASRH.
STF needs to passionately drive the content of this newspaper with support from
the MoES and other educational stakeholders. Once the newspaper appears more
regularly, STF must make strenuous efforts to boost its use in the classroom.
STF’s face-to-face work with primary teachers is probably among the best in Uganda
in content, gender analysis and delivery and in its care to address the drivers of HIV
as in the NSP. However, STF needs to capture on paper in final form its approach with
teachers and share it with stakeholders such as the MoES. Once this has been done, STF
will be able to seek more funding for face-to-face work with teachers.
STF also needs to do more research into the often disappointing results of school-
based HIV prevention programmes. It could be due to the age-mixing in class. Perhaps
creative methods such as separating adolescents by age and marital stutus would
increase adoption of safer behaviours.
STF should also ask schools to be innovative in selecting teachers for the trainings.
Invitations usually go to senior female/male teachers, who have already undergone
other non-STF trainings and who are often over-burdened with ASRH activities. Pupils
could be asked to nominate teachers.
Recommendations on work with partners

STF cannot be everywhere: it relies on partners for the distribution of its papers. It also
relies on them to care for adolescents. Much of STF’s mass media conversation involves
suggesting to adolescents where to go for support. If there were not sympathetic and
committed youth-serving organisations on the ground, STF’s conversation would be
truncated.
From 2006 to mid-2008, STF’s distribution department maintained and polished its
database of schools, health centres, CBOs, and other groups. Distribution systems
improved sharply, especially with the use of phone texting. However, the department
is short staffed and has no vehicle; much more could be done with the distribution
database and to manage partners as distributors. The Strategic Plan envisioned that
the distribution department would have its own vehicle and constantly be in the
field checking on post offices and distribution bottlenecks. To date, this has not been
possible.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Mid-term field data showed many organisations entirely dependent on STF materials,
particularly local NGOs and CBOs using STF products in their behaviour change
programmes. Many of these groups expressed interest in working more closely with
STF or working on the behalf of STF or even working to replace STF.
Out of its database of 1566 CBOs and with the local knowledge of its radio journalists,
STF urgently needs to identify several such groups per district and devolve work to
them, particularly follow up of peer educators, follow up after face-to-face training and
distribution of newspapers. This will necessitate STF being a small grantmaker but will
bring great benefits for young people and communities. STF will never be as present
and possibly never as skillful on the groups in those districts as those CBO/NGOs.
Conclusion
STF’s model is to communicate in many languages through a plurality of channels.

Using the stories of young people, it creates comprehensive “conversations” about
issues of burning concern to adolescents, including body changes, HIV/AIDS, sexuality,
emotions, work, money, poverty, violence, desire and daily life in schools and villages.
All of STF’s interventions have feedback mechanisms -- primarily letters from youth.
These have helped STF to successfully keep abreast of emerging issues and be the main
mass media source of quality ASRH knowledge for young people for close to 15 years.
During the period 2006-to-mid 2008, reviewed by this evaluation, communities all over
Uganda continued to rely on STF for its materials, which were often all they had to
help them understand the challenges of ASRH and HIV.
STF’s approach “works” and needs to be scaled up to reach adolescents of all linguistic
groups. It also needs to be intensified and used to support adults to live more safely.
They are as in need as adolescents.
STF’s work with adolescents must continue. Children become adolescents everyday,
and the need for such “conversations” around topics such as menstruation, coping
with peer pressure and staying in school can never end. Neglect of adolescents could
lead to a resurgence of HIV incidence in young people. Uganda has the second
youngest population in the world, with the average Ugandan male aged 14.
With five people becoming infected with HIV for every one person going onto ARVs
in Uganda, communication for social change is key to turning back the epidemic by
preventing infections at very low cost per person reached. STF has demonstrated that it
provides a cost effective approach to reaching adolescents and adults with information,
a new way of seeing the world, and support to life skills.
Communication for social change also has limitations and cannot on its own redress
the social injustices, such as the profound marginalisation experienced by married
adolescent girls, that also drive the epidemic. Nevertheless, the work done by STF has
provided a critical opportunity for change and brought hope of a better future to many.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
APPENDIX 1 Methodology for mid-term review

Evaluation design: The mid-term review employed a rapid ethnographic approach to
understand the subjective in-depth meanings that STF beneficiaries attach to its work. The
evluators worked with over 400 respondents in the districts of Bugiri, Kasese and Kitgum.
This involved soliciting response in detail, in the form of stories, to understand the
contributions that STF has had on individual’s lives and communities. This approach was
also used to understand individual knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about key thematic
areas of interest to STF. As a result, therefore, the evaluation employed a purely qualitative
research approach, focusing mainly on the use of the following research methods: focus group
discussions and key informant and in-depth interviews.
Area and population of study

The study was carried out in Kasese, Kitgum and Bugiri districts. Kasese receives the Straight
Talk and Parent Talk radio shows in Lukhonzo as well as Straight Talk radio in English and the
English papers Young Talk, Straight Talk and Teacher Talk. Kasese is a good place to determine the
value of working in local languages; it also had exceptional Straight Talk and Parent Talk clubs.
Kitgum was selected to explore STF’s strategic objective of working more with adolescents in
conflict areas and extreme poverty: STF runs a youth center in Kitgum and in 2007 and 2008
distributed local language Straight Talks in the district. Kitgum also receives the Lwo Straight
Talk and Parent Talk radio shows, the English Straight Talk radio, and Young Talk, Straight Talk
and Teacher Talk papers.
Bugiri was selected to represent STF’s work with adolescents in special environments such
as fishing villages: it benefits from Straight Talk radio shows in three languages: Lusamia,
Lusoga and English; Parent Talk radio show in Lusamia and the gamut of STF’s English papers.
Teachers in both Bugiri and Kitgum had also undergone recent teacher trainings.
Details of the sub-counties and populations reached are in Chapter 1: in all, the researchers had
contact with over 400 respondents.
Sample selection and size

The mid term researchers were interested in the following populations: adolescents,
the primary beneficiaries of STF efforts; parents and teachers, who have been secondary
beneficiaries but are increasingly joining the ranks of primary; and key stakeholders such as
local council (LC) leaders, members of community-based organizations (CBOs), who indirectly
benefit from STF programs as well as schools and their administrators.
The study employed purposive sampling where respondents were selected with no rigorous
scientific techniques. In addition, discussions were held with respondents until the investigators
were satisfied with the details of the explanations of given phenomena.
The specific manner in which respondents were selected is below.
Selection of adolescents in school and teachers

The team liaised with the LC leader two days before each visit to select the respondents of
interest. The LC leader worked with the school administration to mobilize young people from
that specific school for focus group discussions (FGDs). Interviews took place in the confines of
the school. In some cases, students from different schools made up the group. With the help of
school administrators, teachers were also identified for this exercise.

A MID-TERM REVIEW
Selection of out-of-school adolescents

In a similar manner, the LC identified the out-of-school adolescents with the help of village
youth leaders. These were informed in advance and a place for the exercise was agreed upon.
In areas where STF had community clubs, mobilization was partly done through these clubs.
Selection of parents and key informants

Similarly, in areas where STF had Parent Talk clubs, mobilization was done through the club
leadership. In other areas, the LCs identified and selected parents. In a few cases, adolescents
were asked to persuade their parents to join the discussions.
Research Instruments
These included interview guides for in-depth interviews, key informants and FGD guides. The
tools were structured to represent the key areas of focus for the mid term assessment.
Data analysis
Before data collection, tentative themes and their concepts had been identified. Data was
analyzed during and after collection. The themes chosen for analysis represented the different
strategic objectives; data were organized accordingly. New sub-themes were formulated as
findings emerged. The use of quotations to illustrate the findings was encouraged.
Bibiliography
Aamchak, S., Karusa K., Watson C., Muhwezi M., Nelson T., Akia-Fiedler A., Kibombo R.,
Milka J. 2007. The Straight Talk Campaign in Uganda: Impact of Mass Media Initiatives - Summary
Report. Horizons Final Report. Washington DC. Population Council.
Corbett E et al., 2007. HIV incidence during a cluster-randomized trial of two strategies
providing voluntary counselling and testing at the workplace, Zimbabwe. AIDS, 21:483-489.
Durabi L et al., 2008. Protecting the Next Generation in Uganda: New Evidence on Adolescent Sexual
and Reproductive Health Needs. New York: Guttacher Institute.
Inter-Agency Standing Committee. 2006. Women, girls, boys and men: different needs - equal
opportunities.
Matovu J et al., 2005. Voluntary HIV counseling and testing acceptance, sexual risk behaviour
and HIV incidence in Rakai, Uganda. AIDS, 19:503-511.
Ministry of Health (MOH) (Uganda) and ORC Macro, 2006. Ugandan HIV/AIDS Sero-behavioural
Survey 2004-5. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Ministry of Health and ORC Macro.
UAC. 2007. Moving towards universal access: National HIV & AIDS Strategic Plan 2007/8-2011/12.
Uganda AIDS Commission, Republic of Uganda.
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and Macro International Inc. 2007. Uganda Demographic and
Health Survey 2006. Calverton, Maryland USA: UBOS and Macro International Inc.
Wabwire-Mangen F. 2008. Modes of Transmission Study: Uganda. Uganda AIDS Commission,

UNAIDS.
WHO. 2002. Broadening the horizon: balancing protection and risk for adolescents. Geneva.


"It Works!" Communication For HIV Prevention and Social Change in Adolescents: A Mid-Term Review, Straight Talk Foundation

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COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN ADOLESCENTS:

Chapter 1 Background and methodology 9

Chapter 2 Communication with adolescents 13

Chapter 4 Focus on Girls 46

Chapter 5 Communication with adults 53

Chapter 7 Conclusions and recommendations 72

 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

For more information about this study, please contact pwalugembe@

 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

On coverage of face-to-face interactions, results were mixed. In 2007, STF opened a

 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

Adolescents and adults described STF radio shows and newspapers as

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

• Seek to demonstrate to donors the importance of communication for social change

 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

Although it officially became an NGO in 1997, STF originated as a newspaper, Straight

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

and schooling status, the study found an association between

With this confirmation of STF’s core approach, in 2005 STF

This SP laid out the following strategic directions:

1. Focus more on the majority of adolescents -

2. Focus on protective factors for adolescents -

4. Establish itself as a world best practice in ASRH -

These strategic directions gave rise to four objectives.

1. To continuously improve the quality and coverage of STF’s communication

10 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

This mid-term evluation focuses on the two outward-looking objectives, Objective 1

Financially, face-to-face communication (school visits, teacher trainings, health fairs,

Ultimately, the contraction in spending on print and face-to-face communication

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

Methodology for mid-term review

District Sub counties In-depth interviews Focus group discussions

Bugiri • Municipality Parents-12 Youth-8 (95 young people met)

• Buyinja Teachers-9 Teachers-3 (9 teachers met)

Kitgum • Namokora Youth-2 Youth-7 (80 youth met)

• Maliba Stakeholders-10 Parents-3 (45 parents met)

Totals 3 Districts visited Parents-12 Youth-25 (280 youth met)

Stakeholders-20 Teachers-3 (9 teachers met)

Patrick Walugembe, M&E manager for STF (left), interviews

12 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

STF planned to increase coverage primarily by:

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

Wilberforce Musimana interviews a school girl in Bugiri for the

14 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

Language Districts covered Date Region in Potential

Ateso Kumi, Pallisa, Amuria, Soroti, 2002 North East 298,295

Lukhonzo Kasese, Bundibugyo 2004 West 126,077

Karimojong Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Abim and 2007 North East 172,000

What do adolescents and stakeholders think about ST radio?

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

16 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

Others reported a determination only to have protected sex.

“I get my information from the radio every Sunday at 6:30pm on Messiah. It is a

18 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

What do adult stakeholders think about the STF radio shows?

20 COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

Challenges with radio

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION

COMMUNICATION FOR HIV PREVENTION