Marseille 2007
| Abstract #301 - A story of two years experience of two linked projects on STI/HIV-prevention for and with asylum seekers. | ||||
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Session: 21.3: Vulnerable populations (Parallel) on Monday @ 16.30-18.30 in 5 Chaired by William Fisher, Tomas Campbell Authors: Presenting Author: Ms gertrude kuyvenhoven - Sti Aids Netherlands, Netherlands |
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| Additional Authors: Mrs Marjo Taal, | ||||
| Aim: Cooperation between target group and professionals in STI/HIV-prevention for asylum seekers. The final objective of two projects was to reduce the number of STI/HIV-infection among asylum seekers. | ||||
| Method / Issue: In 2005 and 2006 two projects where executed by Sti Aids Netherlands (national expertise centre on STI and HIV) - For professionals: trainings: how to talk about sex, hiv-therapy and sti/hiv-education with asylum seekers. Building and maintaining networks. Making available of gender- and cultural specific materials and methods for STI/HIV-prevention (financed by the ministery of health) - For and by asylum seekers: in cooperation with ASERAG (Asylum seekers refugee aids group) designed by asylum seekers them selfs. Theatre, training of peer-educators and HIV-contact persons in asylum seeker centres in the Netherlands (financed by the Aids Fonds). The projects where guided by one steering committee. Every three months a newsletter was written with stories and news from the projects, the health workers and the asylum seekers them selfs. (In the Netherlands a medical service for asylum seekers takes care of preventive care, health education and consigning asylum seekers to regular health services. The projects where executed in close collaboration with the specialized nurses and doctors of this service) | ||||
| Results / Comments: Successes - In the project asylum seekers where addressed on their strength which contributes to their general well being and their image in the Netherlands. They had a change to be part in a television show on the national television. - More then 100 asylum seekers where trained as peer-educators. Three theatre scripts are available. The theatre group with actors of more then 10 different back grounds performed in asylum seeker centres throughout the Netherlands by which more then 1600 asylum seekers were reached. - In cooperation of both projects the female condom came free of charge available for asylum seekers. A successful implementation and revival of the female condom followed, with instruction leaflets in 12 languages and information meetings for health care workers and peer-educators. - The impact of theatre was researched and the faculty of health (nurses) evaluate both projects. - In several national congresses the projects, health workers and asylum seekers presented their activities or carried out work shops. | ||||
| Discussion: Cooperation The strength of both projects was the cooperation between them, which led to an automatic cooperation between health care workers and asylum seekers. E.g. In the trainings for health care workers asylum seekers were asked to play a role as an actor and taught about cultural believes. In the trainings for peer-educators health care workers taught about STIs and HIV. The materials, which came available for health workers (like games and pictures for health education) where used by peer-educators. Difficulties - The mobility of the asylum seekers was a difficulty and a strength. Important actors moved to an other city and could no longer be part of the theatre group but brought their experience to a different part of the Netherlands. - The health services was instable due to the diminishing of amount asylum seekers and work. - There are different organisations involved with asylum seekers. Commitment and cooperation of different partners was needed for successfulness and sustainability of the projects. This took a major part of time. - Although most parties are positive about the projects, it is not easy to obtain structural budget, which is needed to maintain the expertise and the spirit of the asylum seekers and health workers. Future plans - A research proposal on effectiveness of STI/HIV-preventive interventions among asylum seekers is written and will be hopefully conducted with the university of Maastricht. - More focus on HIV and stigma and the care of hiv-positive asylum seekers. | ||||
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