Analyse how social conditions and institutional practices shape HIV vulnerability and access to services. Examine stigma, gender inequality and barriers experienced by different communities without treating any population as homogeneous. Develop respectful, participatory responses with people living with HIV and community organisations.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how social and structural factors affect access to HIV services.
  • Assess a programme for exclusion, stigma and unequal power.
  • Design an accessible community-engagement approach.
  • Develop respectful communication and measures for reviewing its effectiveness.

Main topics

  • Stigma and discrimination
  • Gender, sexuality and power
  • Poverty, mobility and service access
  • Adolescents and life-course needs
  • Key populations and inclusive services
  • Community-led responses
  • Health literacy and culturally responsive communication

Practical task

Prepare a community-engagement and stigma-reduction plan for a fictional Southern African workplace or community programme. Include a stakeholder map, an accessible communication example and a method for incorporating participant feedback.

Assessment

Submit the plan, communication example and a critical reflection. Assessment considers inclusion, respectful language, feasibility and the quality of the proposed feedback process.