Kubadilisha Tabia

Facilitating HIV-related behavior change through theatre in Nakuru, Kenya

Magnet Theatre

A form of community theatre used by activists in Kenya to mobilize a community to find solutions to local problems, especially those related to HIV

Magnet Theatre is participatory and designed to encourage community ownership.

Magnet Theatre aims towards positive behavior change.

REPACTED Kenya

Community Based Organization (CBO) in Nakuru, Kenya

Began as part of Family Health International's (FHI's) Impact Project in 2001

Uses magnet theatre to facilitate behavior change related to HIV and reproductive health in Nakuru under USAID project APHIA II

The Magnet Theatre Process

Mobilization Drama Dilemma Point Discussion Post Performance

Discussion (PPD)

Mobilization

The performers mobilize an audience through song, dance, and games.

Audience participation is encouraged.

Drama

Dilemma Point A facilitator introduces

the magnet theatre company, skit, and characters.

The audience has an opportunity to name each character.

Drama (con.)

The actors perform a skit on a specific issue.

The situation presented in the skit builds up to a “dilemma point.”

Dilemma Point

Often an argument between characters or a decision a character must make.

The facilitator freezes the skit to invite audience participation.

Discussion and PPD

The audience tries to solve the character's problem.

Audience members can give the characters advice, ask the character questions, or even step into role as another character.

Post-Performance Discussion (PPD)- the performers stay at the site afterwards for audience members to ask more private questions.

Research

“Malengo ya Utafiti” (Research Objectives)

1) To evaluate the impact of REPACTED’s previous informal sector outreaches in facilitating positive behavior-change on VCT, condom use, and multiple sexual partners.

2) To create a baseline assessment of current attitudes and behaviors concerning issues targeted in REPACTED’s upcoming NACC outreaches in the informal sector, including VCT, faithfulness, condom use, sexually transmitted infections, maternal child health, and family planning.

Survey- Sample Questions

Have you been to Voluntary Testing and Counseling (VCT)? Why/Why not?

Is it important for an unmarried couple to use condoms during sex?

Is it alright for a married man to have an “mpango wa kando?”

Which, if any, of the following anti-AIDS activities have you attended or observed in your community or workplace?

Profiling Information

Profiling Information (cont.)

Preliminary Results- VCT

Y KS Y M Y IN Y MH Y MJ (NONE)Y PS Y ED Y PNS Y O Total YCount 138 8 10 15 0 2 1 1 6 181Percentage of Y 76 44 6 8 0 1 1 1 3Percentage of All responses 54 3 4 6 0 1 0 0 2 71

N DNW N NR N F N NT N PK N ST N LA N PL Total NCount 9 34 8 13 4 2 1 2 73Percentage of N 12 47 11 18 5 3 1 3Percentage of All responses 4 13 3 5 2 1 0 1 29

Total254

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the Grand Challenge Program, PEI, the Center for Health and Well Being,

Professor Mahiri Mwita, Collins Oduor, Esther Ogema, Christopher Olaro, and the many

talented artists and activists of REPACTED Kenya