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Abstract
A strategy to overcome cultural barriers in migrant populations in their access to HIV/AIDS prevention
Frieder K.1, Vazquez M.1
Introduction: During the last decade, Argentina received about one million migrants, 90% of those coming from adjacent Latin-American countries. Most of them live in precarious conditions in the bigger Buenos Aires Area and many are illegally in the country, being thus restricted in their rights to access the labour market and the local health, educational and social services. In this frame, the Program proposes to enhance community capacities to deal with HIV/AIDS prevention taking into account the existing cultural and linguistic differences between the different groups and local idiosyncrasy.
Methods: Members of groups and organizations of diverse Latin-American origins working in poor settings of the bigger Buenos Aires Area where trained on a weekly basis during four months as peer educators with the purpose of establishing local counselling services in their communities. A network of migrant organizations was established and linked to existing Human Rights organizations and local public healthcare services.
Results: 75 persons belonging to diverse migrant communities where trained as HIV/AIDS counsellors and 5 Counselling Services where opened in poor resource dwellings. Each centre receives about 300 inquiries and distributes 1250 condoms and printed materials per month. 6.500 migrants participated already in workshops focused on HIV prevention and legal rights of the migrant population and about 20.000 persons were contacted and received brochures and condoms in bigger migrant’s gatherings.
Conclusions: The model of Counselling Centres managed by peer educators results effective to empower the migrant population, facilitating their access to health services and promoting the exercise of human rights, The interventions are not restricted to individual counselling, partners and families are integrated with the aim of working in the community implementing diverse preventive activities articulated with healthcare centres and hospitals of each zone.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
TuPe11.9C02
Suggested Citation
"FriederK., et al.
A strategy to overcome cultural barriers in migrant populations in their access to HIV/AIDS prevention.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
TuPe11.9C02"
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