Investigating the Impact of Media Advocacy in Framing Accessibility of Antiretroviral Treatment in Ethiopia: A Social Work Perspective

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2006-07

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

In Ethiopia poor health care infrastructure, stigma, low collaboration and coordination among agencies, and sustainability issues have endangered accessibility of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) by PLWHA. Paramount among the stakeholders strategy to address these problems is advocacy using media as a significant tool. This research is a quantitative and qualitative research based on survey and key-informants interview with ART stakeholders of governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, hospitals, US based universities, PLWHA associations and media agencies to investigate challenges, barriers and best practices of media advocacy to address accessibility of ART synergistically. According to the study, all stakeholders responded that there is a huge information gap of ART among the public. More than 82% of the stakeholders are engaged on advocacy and over 81% of them responded radio and/or TV is the best channel of advocacy tool. Even though 36% of the stakeholders responded that they have produced ART related broadcast messages, none of them are aimed to influence policies and decision makers to advance services of ART. Over 58% of the stakeholders responded that collaboration among themselves and with the media agencies to undertake vigorous media advocacy activities is not satisfactory. This study contrary to the fear appeal approach relies upon person-in-environment concept of social work and systems theory to improve accessibility of ART at various systems level. The study concluded that media advocacy practices by the stakeholders are limited and suggests media advocacy tool and recommendations for future directions

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Social Work

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