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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University has received a grant of $149,016 from the U.S. Department of State to coordinate an education program for HIV and AIDS prevention in the African countries of Lesotho and Botswana.

The project is a collaborative effort between OSU, the University of Botswana, the National University of Lesotho, the Lesotho Network of AIDS Service Organizations (LENASO), and the Behavioral and Social Science Volunteer Program in Washington, D.C.

A primary goal of the project is to provide leadership and training for community-based health professionals and organizations in Lesotho and Botswana so they are better prepared to help educate people in those communities about AIDS and HIV, and how to prevent their transmission.

"HIV and AIDS are at epidemic levels in sub-Saharan Africa, so it is essential to incorporate best practices and proven models for changing behaviors that put people at risk for infection," said Donna Champeau, an associate professor in OSU's College of Health and Human Sciences. "Given the scope of the problem, and the scarcity of resources, our best chance of success is to utilize indigenous networks and communities of health professionals and community-based organizations."

The community-based model is one that has worked well in other areas, said Marion McNamara, co-director of OSU's Office of International Research and Development. McNamara said OSU faculty have had success in developing countries by working at the community level on education, disaster relief, and health and safety issues.

"The community level is where things get done," she said. "A familiar, respected face will have a lot more credibility than will complete strangers."

One of the project's objectives, therefore, is to establish a network of local volunteers in Botswana and Lesotho. McNamara said they hope to train up to 30 people in each country to serve as "Country Collaborators" who will initiate contact and market the program to local health professionals.

The multi-organization team will offer intensive training courses in each country, focusing on best practices for HIV/AIDS prevention, adapting effective intervention, and strategies for working with neighborhood groups. The collaborators also will visit the United States and participate in seminars at OSU and the Center for AIDS Prevention in San Francisco. They also will meet with counterparts at the Oregon Health Division and Cascades AIDS Project in Portland.