STI/HIV/AIDS prevention project for Truckers

With the support of AIDS prevention and Control Project (APAC) - VHS-USAID this HIV/AIDS intervention project for truckers and Women in Prostitution (WIPs). Which the profound high risk groups in the District of Namakkal are being carried out in the 10 km radius of Namakkal Town since April 2003.This project has entered into the second extension for one year from April 2006- March 2007.

The truckers and the CSWs are being given awareness on STD/HIV/AIDS through one to one and one to group meet by the social workers. They are being given counselling by the counsellors. Four counselling cum exhibition centres are being run by WORD in Namakkal. Safer sex behaviours, correct and consistent usage of condoms, Treatment seeking behaviours, early identification of STD, Treatment, Partner and Full course of treatment are being emphasized for truckers and women in prostitution (WIPs).

Frequent Behavioural change communication (BCC) events by the means of street plays, audio & video shows will be held in the vantage places where the truck crews and other allied industry workers and the common people can get to know the exact information on STD/HIV/AIDS.; Communication Campaigns have also undertaken with wall-painting, glow as sign boxes, auto-sticker campaign, posters,handbills and through other relevant materials and distributing of various innovative IEC/BCC materials.

Identification and promotion of peer educators are also an integral part of the program. This includes intensive training for them, conducting district level and state level conventions for peer educators to strengthen the network among the peer educators at the district and state level and to ensure the respectability to the peer educators, appreciate and recognize their work; to improve the quality of services rendered by peer educators; to create a platform to brief about their work, to exhibit the best practices and to analyze the problems faced by them and to find out the practical solutions. Medical camps for WIPS will also be held at regular intervals.

Condom promotion through strengthening the traditional outlets; Identifying and promoting non traditional outlets and intensive training for the condom retailers are being given. Under this program, the AMP/APP/RIMP Doctors, ANMs, Pharmacists were trained in STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Program. A good referral network has been established with them for STD referral and to get proper treatment for the sexually transmitted infections and thereby reduce the vulnerability of HIV/AIDS.

Till February 2007, over 1 lakh truckers were reached through one on one and one-group sessions held and 937 WIPs have reached.