AEGiS-15IAC: An evaluation of a two-year AIDS education programme for sex workers in Plateau State Nigeria.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

An evaluation of a two-year AIDS education programme for sex workers in Plateau State Nigeria.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. TuOrD1212)

Onwuliri VA, Kanki P, Umeh MN, Oyere CN, Odutolu O, Awari H, Mohammed R, Ihemegbulam PC, Mmegwa PN, Solomon MD
Society for Women and AIDS in Africa Nigeria/Department of Biochemistry University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

ISSUES: Nigeria has 4million people living with HIV/AIDS. Plateau State, Nigeria has a prevalence of 7.8% and 11.3% for the capital city. It ranks third in HIV prevalence among the States in Nigeria. Plateau is reputed for tourism and sex work flourishes. The sexual and economic insubordination of women and their poor access to AIDS education among others fuel sex work and the pandemic.

DESCRIPTION: Between October 2001 and November 2003, this SWAAN/APIN comprehensive AIDS Education programme targeted commercial sex workers and their clients in 13 brothels in Plateau State with activities to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, knowledge, self worth and to achieve behaviour change. Advocacy, seminars, peer educators' and cultural mediators' training, focus group discussions (FGD), IEC and condom promotion, out-of-brothel workshops, counseling and referral for STD management and VCT, vocational skills building workshops and training, and rehabilitation among others were undertaken. The impact of the programme before and after two years was evaluated through questionnaire, in-depth interviews, FGD, and workshops.

LESSONS LEARNED: Number of SWs and friends reached increased from 505 to 1127 at the end of 2003. KABP studies showed improved knowledge of HIV/AIDS (p< 0.01). Male and female condom use increased (10% to 90%, p< 0.01 and 0% to 60%, p< 0.01 respectively) and many brothels (75%) now sanction SWs for non-compliance. Clients' participation in seminars increased. Peer educators and cultural mediators trained were 117 and they routinely instruct their colleagues and encourage them to go for VCT. One hundred SWs were trained in vocational skills for 9 months. Overall, problems encountered initially were overcome with education as the SWs with improved image and confidence now insist on safer sex. Recommendation: The replication of this model in different States to establish SW cohorts and for curbing HIV spread is recommended. Efforts need to be intensified towards ensuring uninterupted availability of female condoms.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prostitution, Health Education, Condoms, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Nigeria, Prevalence, Condoms, Female, Peer Group, Knowledge, Humans, Female, Male, prevention & control, economics, education, methods, organization & administration

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TuOrD1212