280 likes | 471 Views
Capacity Building of Law E nforcement O fficers to Handle S ex Workers In Sri Lanka. H.M.J.P . Vidanapathirana 1 M. Sangeeth 2 1 National HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka , 2 Posittive Women Net Work, Community Based Organization, Sri Lanka.
E N D
Capacity Building of Law Enforcement Officers to Handle Sex Workers In Sri Lanka H.M.J.P. Vidanapathirana1 M. Sangeeth2 1National HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 2Posittive Women Net Work, Community Based Organization, Sri Lanka
Background For The Police Interventions • Sex in private is not an offence. Adultery also not an offence • Vagrants ordinance 1841 -soliciting sex is an offence in public places. • Sex workers are been arrested by police due to soliciting and selling sex under the vagrants ordinance in Sri Lanka.
Background For The Study • It has been observed that there were some misunderstandings about condoms and that they are not considered as a medical device • Some evidence that sex workers are arrested by police while they are keeping condoms. • NSACP implement different interventions for police personnel to get the commitment for National HIV prevention programme
Background For The Police Interventions • To create an enabling environment for HIV prevention activities among most at risk populations, particularly sex workers. • To prevent the arbitrary arrest of sex workers for condom possession • To develop positive attitudes towards condoms as a medical device • To improve harassment-free law enforcement practices for sex workers
Training Of Police Instructors • Pre and post interventional study • Three days participatory-based special training programme were conducted for 206 Island wide training instructors attached to police training colleges. • Selection was done randomly and training given in 4 sessions
Objective Of The Study • To assess the knowledge, attitude on HIV/AIDS and willingness to support the national HIV/AIDS plan while handling sex workers
Methodology • The training module was developed and included with various sessions using different education methods • Training Module was pre tested • The pre and post test questionnaire was used to assess the - difference of knowledge - attitude - willingness to support the national HIV/AIDS plan while handling sex workers
Subject Areas Covered During The Training • Sexuality • Sexual challenges • HIV/AIDS prevention • STI Prevention • Counseling • Sex work and legal status of Sri Lanka • Positive telling
Training Methods • Role play • Lecture discussions • Brain storming • Group work • Case scenarios and role plays • Participants questions and answering
Analysis • Knowledge Score was developed and converted in to a percentage. • Likert scale was used to assess the attitude
Knowledge on Transmission, non transmission and prevention Non Transmission Prevention Transmission
Whether the implementation of HIV / AIDS prevention work disrupt their day today duties
Results • Total knowledge score on HIV transmission, prevention and misconception of the police officers showed significant increase from 69.5(SD+16.1) at pre intervention stage to post intervention stage 86.6(SD +13.08). • Total attitude score on handling sex workers with the intention of HIV prevention showed significant increase from pre intervention to post intervention (P= 0.001).
Results • Willingness to support the national HIV/AIDS plan while handling sex workers indicated significant increase from pre intervention to post intervention(P= 0.0001). • All officers have positive attitude towards condoms, HIV infected persons and MRAPHS were improved after the intervention.
Conclusions • The special training was effective to improve the knowledge, attitudes about HIV/AIDS and improve the wiliness to support national HIV/AIDS plan while correct handling sex workers. • It is recommended to provide necessary communication materials for training instructors in island wide to carry out continuous education for police officers.