The use of multimedia content to overcome barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention among youth in the peripheries of São Paulo State

• Grant number: 25/18923-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Lúcia Yasuko Izumi Nichiata
• Grantee: Beatriz de Faria Carniel
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/09305-0 - Implementation of public policies on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections/HIV - #PartiuPrevPerifa, AP.PP

Abstract

Science has made significant progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, including strategies to encourage the use of physical barriers, the development of new ways to interrupt the infectious process, and the provision of preventive medications. However, the troubling epidemiological reality shows that the HIV/AIDS epidemic persists and that vulnerable populations face difficulties in accessing prevention services.This scientific journalism proposal aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the knowledge translation plan for the project titled "Implementation of public policies for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections/HIV - #PartiuPrevPerifa," funded by FAPESP. The first step will be to map the most affected segments of the target population and identify collaborative partnerships to address the problem. Partnering with local facilitators will ensure that the materials developed are relevant and reach the individuals who need them most.The project will plan, produce, co-create, and disseminate multimedia content with messages, language, and formats adapted for specific subgroups of young people who live in or frequent the peripheries of São Paulo state. It will use approaches such as "edutainment" (educational entertainment), "gamification" (game mechanisms for education), and collaborations for engagement. The results will contribute to the fields of scientific journalism and public health by producing new, sustainable communication strategies focused on overcoming barriers to accessing services and information about HIV/AIDS prevention.