Friday, August 18, 2006
My Abstract in Toronto
Truck-drivers and helpers as peer facilitators for dialogue-based interpersonal communication (IPC) for HIV risk reduction Chatterjee A.1, Sellers T.1, Bandyopadhyay N.1, Pachauri A.1, Sahni V.1, Ibrahim M.1, Thakar S.21PATH, New Delhi, India, 2TCIF, New Delhi, India
Issues: Truck-drivers have long been identified as one population key to HIV epidemic dynamics in India. Targeted prevention interventions have shown that peer IPC works best in enabling key populations to reduce HIV risks. Interventions have generally not succeeded, however, in recruiting truck-drivers and helpers themselves as peer facilitators in prevention programs. Description: As part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation upported Indian AIDS Initiative (Avahan), PATH worked with local partners to recruit and train 20 truck-drivers and helpers as IPC facilitators. To accommodate the availability of truck-drivers, training was conducted over 4 weekends, interspersed with field work. Training included IPC methods, facilitation skills, HIV and STI prevention, gender, power and sexuality. Thirteen dialogue-based IPC methods were developed to enable truck-drivers to critically reflect on risk situations and behaviours and to share and analyse practical risk reduction techniques through discussion. All but 2 completed the full course, and through hearing about the project whilst participating in fieldwork, 18 more drivers came to volunteer for the project. Since the training a learning centre for dialogue-based IPC work with truck-drivers and helpers has been established on the site. Lessons learned: Barriers to truck-drivers becoming peer workers can be overcome through consultation with them. Embedding experienced IPC facilitators with newly trained truck-drivers is an effective capacity building strategy. Truck-drivers responded particularly enthusiastically to IPC methods involving role play and practical demonstration of risk reduction techniques. Recommendations: PATH is now working with partners to train additional truck-drivers to implement an innovative dialogue-based IPC project along national highways. The trained peer facilitators will work part-time on a flexible, consultant basis to accommodate their truck-driving. The aim is to use their mobility as an asset and create a pool of skilled peer IPC facilitators who are available to work at different truck stops along national highways in India.
http://www.iasociety.org/abstract/show.asp?abstract_id=2180991
Issues: Truck-drivers have long been identified as one population key to HIV epidemic dynamics in India. Targeted prevention interventions have shown that peer IPC works best in enabling key populations to reduce HIV risks. Interventions have generally not succeeded, however, in recruiting truck-drivers and helpers themselves as peer facilitators in prevention programs. Description: As part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation upported Indian AIDS Initiative (Avahan), PATH worked with local partners to recruit and train 20 truck-drivers and helpers as IPC facilitators. To accommodate the availability of truck-drivers, training was conducted over 4 weekends, interspersed with field work. Training included IPC methods, facilitation skills, HIV and STI prevention, gender, power and sexuality. Thirteen dialogue-based IPC methods were developed to enable truck-drivers to critically reflect on risk situations and behaviours and to share and analyse practical risk reduction techniques through discussion. All but 2 completed the full course, and through hearing about the project whilst participating in fieldwork, 18 more drivers came to volunteer for the project. Since the training a learning centre for dialogue-based IPC work with truck-drivers and helpers has been established on the site. Lessons learned: Barriers to truck-drivers becoming peer workers can be overcome through consultation with them. Embedding experienced IPC facilitators with newly trained truck-drivers is an effective capacity building strategy. Truck-drivers responded particularly enthusiastically to IPC methods involving role play and practical demonstration of risk reduction techniques. Recommendations: PATH is now working with partners to train additional truck-drivers to implement an innovative dialogue-based IPC project along national highways. The trained peer facilitators will work part-time on a flexible, consultant basis to accommodate their truck-driving. The aim is to use their mobility as an asset and create a pool of skilled peer IPC facilitators who are available to work at different truck stops along national highways in India.
http://www.iasociety.org/abstract/show.asp?abstract_id=2180991
