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HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Transport Workers: Lessons Learned from a Peer Education Program in Ethiopia

This presentation discusses the success of a peer education program aimed at preventing HIV/AIDS among transport workers in Ethiopia. It highlights the outreach efforts, educational materials distributed, condom distribution, and collaborative partnerships involved in the program. It also explores the impact on beneficiaries, including decreased stigma and increased condom use. The conclusion emphasizes the need for replication, wider scale activities, and sustaining the program through partnerships and accessibility.

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HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Transport Workers: Lessons Learned from a Peer Education Program in Ethiopia

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  1. HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Transport Workers: Lessons Learned from a Peer Education Program in Ethiopia Mengistu Asnake, MD, MPH and Metiku W/Giorgis, BSc, MSc PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL 131st Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Public Health Association San Francisco, CA November 17, 2003

  2. Background: Ethiopia In 2000, Pathfinder/Ethiopia, with funding from USAID, began a project with transport workers, through ISAPSO, a local partner. Total Pop. = 70 million Adult HIV prevalence = 6.6% Urban HIV prevalence = 13.7% Rural HIV prevalence = 3.7% PLWHA = 2.2. Million Highest prevalence = Age 15-24 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  3. Program Justification • The job requires mobility, resulting in frequent temptation for casual sexual. • Existing community-based programs may not reach transport workers. • Multiple purpose in reaching transport workers, passengers and surrounding community. • Transfer of HIV/AIDS message along transport routes. 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  4. Booth-Based Services (Information and referral at transport terminals) From January 2001 to June 2003, 78,336 sessions of booth-based services reached: • 80,530 drivers & 80,794 assistants • 18,964 cashiers & 54,622 office workers • 468,326 passengers • 152,682 community members living in the booth area 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  5. Educational/Promotional materials distributed • 1,252 Posters,14,093 fliers/leaflets and 19,859 brochures • 2,369 booklets • 700 paper caps and 659 T-shirts • 735 car stickers and 1,656 radio cassettes 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  6. Condom Distribution 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  7. Program Collaborators • Road Transport Authority • Ten transport owners associations • Peer educators • Management of Middle Distance Bus Terminals • Pathfinder International, with USAID funding • Integrated Service for AIDS Prevention and Support Organization (ISAPSO) - implementing Partner 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  8. Success Stories 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  9. Success Stories (Cont’d) • Establishment of national transport HIV/AIDS activities coordinating committee at Federal Road Transport Authority (RTA). • Inclusion of STI/HIV/AIDS education in the training curriculum for drivers and mechanics. • Growth of peer educators committees to legally recognized local NGOs. • Replication of middle distance bus driver (MDB) experience to truck and train route. • Assignment of material and human resources for the program from transport owners association and RTA. • Breaking the silence as a sign for change in behavior (open discussions, increased condom use, and avoiding environments conducive for casual sex). 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  10. Perception of Beneficiaries • Decrease in fear/stigma to discuss HIV/AIDS openly. • Increased availability and use of condoms. • Many transport workers are getting married through the choice of faithful partnership. • Replication of MDB experience to truck and train route. • Avoidance of environments conducive to casual sex. • With a decreased clientele from transport workers, most community sex workers are changing their professions to petty trading. 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  11. Replicate similar activities on a wider scale. Involve peer educators beyond the transport sector in psychosocial support. Create linkages with hotel settings along transport routes. Create more legal associations from peer educator committees. Maintain HIV/AIDS activities within the labor union agreements. The Way Forward 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  12. The program has achieved its purpose by: Reaching mobile and vulnerable groups. Promoting behavioral change in the target populations. Mobilizing the road transport authority and transport companies. Creating an environment conducive for partnership in sustaining project activities. Establishing a model for accessing hard-to-reach populations and creating a mechanism for replication. Conclusion 131st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

  13. For more information, please contact: Pathfinder International Headquarters Nine Galen Street, Suite 217 Watertown, MA 02472 USA Phone: (617) 924-7200 Fax: (617) 924-3833 Web: http://www.pathfind.org or Pathfinder International/Ethiopia Bole Road, Near Lalibela Hotel Phone: 251-1-61-33-30 Fax: 251-1-61-42-09 Email: Masnake@pathfind.org Thank You!!

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