TRUNG TÂM NÂNG CAO SỨC KHOẺ CỘNG ĐỒNG
Project run by CHP is highly appreciated not only by me but also other members of Advisory Board. First of all is its professional management mechanism, second is its direct impact to clients specifically and obviously.Under support from PEPFAR program through USAID/ PACT, since June 2009 project “Sister to sister - skill training for HIV prevention among female sexual partner of PLHIV and IDU” has been started by CHP in Nghe An.
“Project run by CHP is highly appreciated, not only by me but also other members of Advisory Board. First of all is its professional management mechanism, second it clearly and significantly has direct impact on clients”
Member of Project Advisory Board
Location: Vinh city, Nghe An province
Donor: USAID/PEPFAR through Pact
Project partners: Nghe An AIDS Center
Beneficiaries: People Living with HIV/AIDS, Drug users and their sex partners
Duration: 6/2009-9/2011
Objective: To increase safer practice for HIV/AIDS prevention among female sexual partners, PLHIV and IDU in Vinh city
Under support from PEPFAR program through USAID/ PACT, since June 2009 project “Sister to sister - skill training for HIV prevention among female sexual partner of PLHIV and IDU” has been started by CHP in Nghe An. As presented in the title, project focused on female sexual partner of IDU and PLHIV. Lack of power, knowledge and skills to protect themselves, wives and female partners of IDUs and PLHIV become at risk of HIV infection, mainly through unprotected sex. In response to the need for preventing these hidden at risk populations, project aims to increase safe practice for HIV/AIDS prevention among female sexual partners, PLHIV with three specific objectives:
1. Train for 20 peer educators and 50 collaborators on knowledge and skills for prevention of HIV/STI.
2. Increase knowledge and skills for prevention of HIV/STI among 300 PLHIV and IDU couples, 200 female partners of PLHIV and IDU and 300 PHIV and IDU.
3. Build capacity of self-help group in prevention of HIV/STI among female partners of PLHIV and IDU.
The project has been implemented in selected wards and communes of Vinh city, Cua Lo town, Hung Nguyen and NghiLoc districts in partnership with NgheAn AIDS center, Vinh Health Center and self-help groups. Project has achieved its objective in improving knowledge, attitude and skill for those most at risk population. Detail of project implementation and achievement can be seen below.
Project approaches
Response to the need of target group: The project is designed based on the consultation with the target groups. The baseline survey was conducted to have insight understanding about the unmet need of target group and help to develop relevant and practical activities. Activities were adjusted during project implementation to ensure that it meets the need of target group.
Participation of target group: Target groups participated in all project stages including project design, planning, implementation and monitoring. Capacity of PLHIV, IDU and their sexual partners has been improved through participation in the project implementation. They have been empowered to make decisions on project activities which influence their life. Target groups directly designed and implement small component for prevention of HIV.
Gender equity: The project paid attention to gender equity, especially social, culture and tradition influencing gender role, and decision making process related to safer sex negotiation and condom. Power relation between men and women were analyzed and addressed during implementation. The project recruited female educators to reach female partners of PLHIV and IDUs to ensure that sensitive issues related to safer sex negotiation and condom use areadequately addressed. Skills training for women including assertiveness skills training gradually improved women status and their capacity in decision making.
Peer education: The project employed peer education, conducted by trained (female) peer educators. Intervention focused on skills training for female partners of PLHIV and IDU through home visit, small group communication and counseling at CHP drop-in center in Vinh city. It’s noted that the project will be implemented based on existing network of clients of on-going CHP’s care and support project.
With support of CHP, self-help group developed their network and carry out intervention to increase awareness among male PLHIV and IDU (in community and in rehabilitation centers) about their role and responsibility in protecting their sexual partners. Key principles for project interventions include:
Key achievements
- Number of female sexual partners reached: 1,661
- Number of IDUs reached: 2,518
- Number of health staff and outreach workers competently trained: 276
- Number of clients received referral services: 730
- Number of clients participated in group communication: 2,696