The peripatetic henfil centre for testing and counselling (Peripatetic Henfil-CTC).
Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. F11783)
Carrasco DP, Oki S, Oliveira SM STD/AIDS Coordination of Sao Paulo City Health Department - Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Issues The Peripatetic Henfil-CTC is a programme directed at the homeless people who attend day centres provided in the central area of Sao Paulo (Brazil) by NGOs, with the intention of preventing STDs/HIV. Description Sao Paulo, with a population of 10 million, had 8706 homeless people in the year 2000, with 4980 of these located in its central area. This project was carried out from 10/10/01 to 12/12/01, in partnership with the NGO "My street my house". Individual and group educational activities, collection of blood samples for HIV and syphilis tests and delivery of the results of the tests were performed weekly. All material supplies and personnel were provided by the Henfil-CTC, and the team comprised a social worker, public health educators and nurses. First of all feelings, knowledge and information the group had about STD/AIDS were taken into account. After discussion and analysis of the life histories of the participants and the social context of the group, the co-ordinator would lead them from empirical to scientific knowledge. Learned Lessons Each day an average of 300 homeless people attend this day centre; 75 of these agreed to participate in the programme. It was found that the homeless had not only incorrect but also correct knowledge about STD/AIDS. When the health sector offers its services to them in a non authoritarian manner, taking into account their circumstances, they are prepared to get involved. This strategy made possible the discussion about risk factors, conditions of vulnerability, having blood tests, and ways to recognise their sorological status. Also it made the STD/AIDS services more accessible to the homeless. Recommendations Preventative programmes for the homeless on the subject of STD/AIDS need to be developed where they are, and the health services need to be organised to be able to give attention to this group. Large number of the homeless were not yet motivated to participate, suggesting the need of new programmes.
Keywords: AEGIS, Counseling, Research Design, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Health Services Needs and Demand, Risk Factors, Knowledge, Brazil, Greece
