Date: September 11, 2026

At Consolation East Africa (CEA), we believe that health solutions must be built with communities, not just for them. Following our initial “PrEP Power: Long-Acting PrEP Demand Creation Workshop” held in April 2026, we recently reassembled alongside HOYMAS, AVAC, Access Bridge, key population groups, peer educators, and community advocates for a crucial follow-up session: the LEN-HCD Communication Tools Validation Meeting.

The purpose of this gathering was to evaluate, refine, and validate proposed Human-Centered Design (HCD) communication materials for long-acting HIV PrEP—specifically Lenacapavir (LEN)—ensuring they are clear, inclusive, relatable, and non-stigmatizing.

Shaping Effective Prevention Messaging

During the session, participants engaged in a comprehensive review of campaign concepts, messaging, and visual representations. Rather than focusing on complex technical jargon, the collective feedback pointed toward several core principles:

• Less is More: Effective materials must rely on short, impactful, and empowering language paired with relatable imagery, allowing key messages to be understood immediately in community and clinical settings.
• Preserving Informed Choice: LEN and long-acting options must be presented alongside oral PrEP, vaginal rings, and barrier methods without framing any single choice as superior. The guiding philosophy remains: Your PrEP, Your Choice.
• Authentic Representation: Communication tools must genuinely reflect the diversity of the audiences served—including key populations, unhoused individuals, youth, and persons with disabilities—using realistic imagery and community-validated local language.
• Addressing Myths & System Realities: The workshop highlighted the need for dedicated community education on PrEP facts versus myths, practical user experiences, and emerging health priorities like mpox awareness, while emphasizing that demand creation must align directly with service availability in health facilities.

Moving Forward

Beyond producing posters and digital toolkits, the Human-Centered Design approach continues to transform participants into informed community advocates and champions.

As we finalize these communication tools based on community feedback, CEA remains committed to advancing rights-based, accessible, and inclusive healthcare across Kenya. Stay tuned as we prepare to roll out these finalized, community-owned HIV prevention resources!