The knowledge, the will and the power: a strategic planning framework to meet the sexual HIV prevention needs of African people in England

Duration: February 2007 - March 2008

This project was commissioned by the African HV Policy Network on behalf of NAHIP, a national HIV prevention initiative for African people living in England. NAHIP is funded by the English Department of Health.

This project generated a consensus-based framework for planning national and local HIV prevention activity with African people in England. The planning document includes a clear model of HIV transmission-related behaviours and HIV prevention needs among African people, and is based upon the collective values and goals of the NAHIP partners. The document articulates an ethical and rights-based framework within which all NAHIP member organisations agree to undertake their HIV prevention activities.

The project included analysis of health promotion materials and a review of the existing literature to create a list of potential topic areas for the framework prior to interviews and focus groups with NAHIP member organisations and other key stakeholders. These interviews and groups explored their values, theories and the principles that are implicit in their work and any conflicts between approaches to HIV prevention between agencies. A final draft of the document was also circulated for consultation among agencies that provide HIV prevention services for African people living in England.

The final document describes the behavioural, social and biological factors that contribute to the sexual transmission of HIV among African people living in England, and highlights feasible, ethical and realistic targets for HIV prevention programmes. It also describes what African people need in order to have control over these targets, drawing on research, health promotion expertise, and consultation with key stakeholders, particularly those working in community-based African agencies.

Alongside this framework development process, Sigma Research undertook an HIV prevention needs assessment among African people in England called Bass Line 2007. These two projects informed and supported each other.

Key contact:

NAHIP implementing partners
Black Health Agency
The Crescent (Hertfordshire)
Embrace UK Community Support Centre
Leeds Skyline Service
NAZ Project London
Pan-Afrique Centre
Terrence Higgins Trust
Uganda AIDS Action Fund
West African Network Initiative

NAHIP associate partners
African Culture Promotion (ACP)
African Institute for Social Development
African Support and Project Centre (ASPC)
African Youth Organisation (AYO)
Black Gay Men's Advisory Group
Congolese Youth Association
Health Action Charity Organisation
London Ecumenical AIDS Trust (LEAT)
MDC Training & Consultancy
National Institute for African Studies (NIAS)
Organisation of HIV Positive Men (OPAM)