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Abstract
Peer education / challenges in prisons
S. Kawilila
Issues: To raise awareness about HIV/AIDS , STDs and an understanding of the problems among high-risk groups like prisoners, ex-prisoners, wardens (officers) and their families -To reduce risk behavior and prevent new infections. -To promote positive attitudes and build community capacity to manage and care for those affected and infected.
Description: It’s a community-based programme involving the youths, men, women and the church; are mobilized, sensitized and trained. The community and volunteers through organized workshops, seminars are taught drama and sketch skills to impart information to the target groups. We carry out intervention program through the use of peer educators. The P.E are trained on HIV/AIDS/STIs, interpersonal communication, qualities of a good peer educator and care and support for the infected prisoners. They reach out to their peers, have general activities together, formed drama groups as well as support groups. The peer educators assisted in mobilizing for community support for infected peers. This project was replicated in several prison communities among prison inmates, prison officers, wives and children.
Lessons learned: Peers education volunteer methods gives the sense of belonging, enhances peer commitment and desire to care for the peers in difficulties. Prison service lack facilities to administer to inmates with terminal AIDS. The prison clinics lack investigation capacities for HIV/AIDS and STIs; even health personnel who are seconded to man the clinics are not trained in management of HIV/AIDS,andSTIs. Drugs are often inconsistent and irregular. anti-retroviral drugs are not available to inmates. VCT is non-existent, thus most inmates do not know their status.
Recommendations: In HIV/AIDS/STIs project, peer should be highly involved for maximum cooperation and commitment. Need of integration of prison health into the National system, as failure to provide inmates with reasonable protection against infectious diseases would be an infringement of their human rights.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
WEPE0482
Suggested Citation
" S. Kawilila
Peer education / challenges in prisons.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
WEPE0482"
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