Evaluation Of National Organization Of Peer Educators (Nope) Magnet Theatre As An Hiv And Aids Intervention Tool: The Case Of Kangemi Youth

Abstract

Almost three decades into the pandemic HIV and AIDS still claims the lives of many people particularly the youth. Top down and expert driven communication seems not to be working and more participatory communication is needed to communicate to the youth. The study used qualitative design to explore and evaluate the effectiveness of Magnet Theatre among the Kangemi youth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Magnet Theatre technique using the Freirian Participatory Theory to determine if Magnet Theatre is an effective peer education and HIV and AIDS communication strategy among the youth in Kangemi. Data was collected from NOPE staff, AoC and the youth aged between 14 years – 24 years in Kangemi using Focus group discussions, in depth interview, personal testimonies and direct observation. The overall feeling of the youth was that Magnet Theatre is an effective communication strategy among the youth as it is a horizontal and participatory communication that empowers the youth to critically think about their own behavior and promotes behavior change. The findings of the study underscored that the youth preferred Magnet Theatre to the top down expert driven conventional methods of communication HIV and AIDS.