C-Change KABP findings conducted in 2010 revealed lack of in-depth knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues among youths in Kogi and Cross-River States prompting a need to intensify prevention interventions aimed at increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS issues in the two states. The national HIV/AIDS Behavior Change Communication (BCC) response also identified lack of effective coordination and technical direction in the BCC activities implemented by PEPFAR Implementing Partners (IPs) and other developmental partners.

In COP 12, C-Change will continue to partner with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to promote preventive behaviors and condom use to reduce HIV risk behaviors among youths 10 to 24 years, in and out of school in the states. Young people will be trained as Peer Educators to promote HIV/AIDS prevention. Capacity of the partner NGOs would be enhanced to ensure sustainability of the ongoing communitylevel interventions. Mass media would also be engaged to reinforce community activities.

The project will support the joint National Prevention and SBCC Technical Working Group and work with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the National Prevention TWG to establish a clearinghouse for communication materials as well as develop strategies for collection and dissemination of best practices. The project will reinforce work on improving the effectiveness and sustainability of SBCC for HIV prevention in Nigeria. C-Change will continue to provide technical support to USG partners, NGOs/CBOs and health workers to design and implement evidence-based, community-informed SBCC. Support to Cross-River University of technology (CRUTEC) and University of Calabar (UNICAL) in institutionalizing SBCC training for students.

C-Changes work with partner NGOs would continue to promote preventive behaviors including abstinence among secondary school youths 10 17 years in two focal states (Cross River and Kogi). 220 Peer Educators will be trained and HIV prevention campaigns will be conducted within Cross River and Kogi States, linking mass communication efforts at state level with community based-responses. To fulfill the requirement of the national Minimum Prevention Package Intervention (MPPI), NGOs will employ the MPPI prongs and strategies to reach 2,437 secondary school youths in the two states. The NGOs will conduct community outreach interventions by carrying out community dialogue with stakeholders and gatekeepers of the schools to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS problem, address issues affecting positive behaviors, engender community ownership and support of project. Small group discussions would be held quarterly in target secondary schools to explore risk behaviors, increase HIV/AIDS knowledge, address myths and misconceptions, provide information on condom use, counseling and testing, safer sex including abstinence and make referrals to services. While peer education would serve as the lead strategy, NGOs will conduct Dance/Drama (talent show) events in the secondary schools to enter-educate youths on HIV/AIDS prevention.

C-Change will also continue to support Cross-River University of technology (CRUTEC) and University of Calabar (UNICAL) in institutionalizing SBCC training.

The Project will continue engagement with trained journalist and media houses in providing meaningful support to social and behavior change for HIV prevention. Further capacity building would be provided to the media practitioners to develop programs and media products aimed at increasing HIV prevention. There will be increase in the number of media materials supportive of prevention and positive behavior change that will enhance health and well-being of individuals.

C-Change will also provide further trainings to NGOs on how to engage the media for effective coverage of HIV prevention interventions.

C-Change will continue to partner with local NGOs to promote preventive behaviors including mutual fidelity and condom use to reduce HIV risk behaviors among youths 17 24 years in two focal states (Cross River and Kogi). NGOs will employ the MPPI prongs and strategies to reach 2, 563 out- of - school and tertiary institution youths in project states. The NGOs will conduct community outreach interventions in target communities and institutions to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS problem, address negative norms, engender community ownership and support of project activities. Small group discussions would be held quarterly in target communities and institutions to explore risk behaviors, increase HIV/AIDS knowledge, address myths and misconceptions, promote counseling and testing, safer sex including condom use and make referrals to STI and HIV services. The NGOs will partner with other USG IPs, organizations and Government agencies within project communities to distribute condoms at these sessions as well as provide mobile counseling and testing services. 220 peer educators (PEs) will be trained and they will continue interpersonal and group outreaches, while the NGOs will conduct other support activities. Vulnerability intervention will also be conducted for out-of-school youths. Mass media will reinforce community activities. Capacity of the partner NGOs in the States would be enhanced to ensure sustainability of communitylevel interventions.

C-Change will continue to support the joint National Prevention and SBCC Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings, train TWG members in SBCC guidelines and mechanisms and standards for coordination. The project would also ensure that SBCC implementing partners are reporting required BCC indicators to NNRIMS on a regular basis. NACA and the TWG will be supported to ensure that Clearinghouse for communication materials is functional and develop strategies for collection and dissemination of best practices in Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC). Support will also continue to USG partners, NGOs/CBOs and health schools/workers to design and implement evidence-based, community-informed SBCC interventions in line with national prevention priorities.