16th International AIDS Conference Toronto, Canada - August 13 - 18, 2006

TRUCKING AGAINST AIDS: A UNIQUE AND SUSTAINABLE RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROAD FREIGHT INDUSTRY

Int Conf AIDS. 2006 Aug 13-18;16 Abstract No. MoAc0302

Matthew P., Watson B.
National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight Industry, Trucking Against AIDS, Johannesburg, South Africa

ISSUES: In South Africa, the road freight industry employs 70 000 people, of which truck drivers constitute roughly 35 000. It forms a vital part of the economy, responsible for transporting 80% of goods. Although HIV/AIDS prevalence studies vary, the impact of the disease on the industry’s mobile workforce is indisputable. To prevent the spread of the disease, Trucking Against AIDS (TAA) was introduced in 2000 offering preventative and healthcare programmes to the industry.

DESCRIPTION: TAA pioneered the concept of establishing Roadside Wellness Centres (converted shipping containers) at high-risk areas such as truck stops situated along national routes. It’s a targeted industry initiative, mostly open at night and focusing mainly on drivers and commercial sex workers. Services are free and include awareness education, primary healthcare, STI treatment, VCT, food supplements and condom distribution. A partnership approach is followed, with transport companies, unions, government and international organisations (Sida) collaborating to enhance the impact of the project. The project also offers Mobile Wellness Centres, which expand its services to transport companies. Since 2000, eleven centres have been opened and three mobile centres introduced. 172937 people received awareness education; 63955 patients were treated; 27651 STIs treated and 4.8 million condoms distributed. Due to the project’s success, WFP decided to use it as a model for a similar project in Malawi.

LESSONS LEARNED:

1. Using “wellness centre” vs “AIDS clinic” is central to drawing the target market to utilise services.
2. Interventions that are focused and partnership-based are more effective and sustainable.
3. Employing staff from the communities around the truck stops is key to building trust and ensuring effective delivery.
4. Accessibility and convenience of services are central to the success of the project.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Services expanded to include treatment.
2. Scale up network of Roadside Wellness Centre and Mobile Wellness Centres.
3. Continual staff training.

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2006-08-13
MoAc0302

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