The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Congregation-based Health Education - 37% More Pregnant Women Tested for HIV

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Strategy researched

Culturally adapted, family-centred approach that relies on widely distributed religious infrastructure and church-based community networks

Impact achieved

37% more pregnant women in the programme had HIV testing compared with women who were not in the programme; pregnant women who were not in the programme were 11 times more likely to not be tested for HIV, compared to women in the programme. Women in the programme who had tested positive were 6.2x more likely to be linked to care & 2.8x more likely to access care & receive antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy than those not in the programme.

Country of study

Nigeria

Research methodology

RCT

Journal

The Lancet Global Health; 2015

Journal paper title and link

Effect of a congregation-based intervention on uptake of HIV testing and linkage to care in pregnant women in Nigeria (Baby Shower): a cluster randomised trial

Excerpt from Abstract

"Culturally adapted, community-based programmes such as the Healthy Beginning Initiative can be effective in increasing HIV screening in pregnant women in resource-limited settings."