EBAN-K is a behavioral intervention targeting heterosexual discordant couples in Kenya. The word “Eban” originates from the Akan people in Ghana, West Africa which means ‘fence’. FENCE in the EBAN intervention symbolized safety, protection, security and love The purpose of the EBAN-K intervention is to help discordant couples in Kenya improve on their sexual communication skills as building blocks for sustained healthy and happy couple’s relationship and ultimately help couple stay healthy and protect each other from HIV and STIs.

1. ENHANCING COMMUNICATION & HEALTHY
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG HIV DISCORDANT COUPLES
THROUGH THE EBAN-K INTERVENTION
PRESENTED BY: CHURCHILL ALUMASA

2. OUTLINE
• What is the EBAN-K intervention
• Structure
• Methodology
• Geographical area
• Challenges
• Way-forward
• Lessons Learnt

3. WHAT IS EBAN-K?
• EBAN-K is a behavioral intervention targeting
heterosexual discordant couples in Kenya.
• The word “Eban” originates from the Akan people in
Ghana, West Africa which means ‘fence’.
• FENCE in the EBAN intervention symbolized safety,
protection, security and love
• The purpose of the EBAN-K intervention is to help
discordant couples in Kenya improve on their sexual
communication skills as building blocks for sustained
healthy and happy couple’s relationship and ultimately
help couple stay healthy and protect each other from HIV
and STIs.

4. STRUCTURE
• EBAN-K intervention is anchored on 7 pillars mostly referred
to as “Nguzo saba”
• They are Unity ,Self-determination, Collective work and
responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Faith
and Creativity
• The intervention consists of eight sessions
• Each session takes two hours and at the end of every session
there is a couple home activity/assignment aimed at
translating knowledge and skills learnt during the 2 hour
sessions.
• Four of the eight sessions are delivered as couple sessions
while the other four sessions are delivered as group sessions.

5. METHODOLOGY
• The intervention is delivered to heterosexual discordant
couples only
• Intervention participants must be in steady relationship (must
have been in the relationship for at least six months and
intend to be in the relationship for at least the next 2 months)
• Each group/village must have a minimum of 3 couples and a
maximum of 5 couples; in case of polygamous relationships a
couple needs to come as a pair of one man, one woman (the
same woman/man) for the entire intervention.
• Sessions are delivered by two qualified EBAN-K service
providers who must be male and female.

6. GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
• The EBAN-K intervention is currently being
implemented in two counties which are Nairobi
and Makueni.
• In Nairobi it is implemented in Kibera, Mukuru
kwa Reuben, Mukuru Fuata Nyayo and Kayole
regions.
• In Makueni county it is implemented in Makindu
region.

7. CHALLENGES
• Some couples who went through the EBAN-K intervention were
semi illiterate and found the Participant Manual difficult to
understand and most of them requested the Facilitators to translate
the content to Kiswahili.
• It was a challenge for some EBAN-K sessions to begin on time as a
few couples came late due to personal reasons.
• It was a challenge for some Facilitators to carry out the EBAN-K
sessions in the stipulated time as issues arose from the couples in
between the sessions and the couples couldn’t move on with the
session.
• Some couples are finding it hard to relate to some of the songs
during the EBAN-K intervention as they find them too westernized
and cannot relate to them.

8. WAY FORWARD
• The EBAN-K Intervention should be scaled up to
as many discordant couples in as many
Counties as possible. The content of the
intervention enhances effective sexual
communication which will lead to reduction of
new HIV infections among couples.

9. LESSONS LEARNT
• 75% of couples reported better sexual and overall
communication skills and were able to enjoy sex
more.
• The talk and listen technique was the most used
technique by the participants as was observed
from the intervention by some of the facilitators.
• 82% of the couples have developed trust and
closeness as compared to 39 % of them before
the intervention and are appreciating safer-sex
within their relationships.

10. 10
Contacts:
SUITE 1A , Block X9, Ayany Estate,
Kibera
P.O Box 74551-00200 NAIROBI
TEL: 0726 988 837, 020 208 1431
Email: info@discok.org
Thank You!