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STI-AIDS
CCISD
is very actively engaged in the fight against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) and HIV-AIDS. Since 1990, it has planned,
coordinated and carried out projects in twelve francophone
countries in Africa (1991-1995),
in seven countries in West Africa
(1995-2001) and will be continuing its efforts soon
in nine countries in the same region (2001-2006).
AIDS
has had a catastrophic impact on the social and economic
balance as well as on demographics in Africa, where it has
already begun to imperil 40 years of development. CCISD
therefore made it a priority for action.
The
series of interventions undertaken by CCISD has enabled
it to acquire a precise understanding of the dynamics of
the epidemic in West Africa. It is now understood that it
will be difficult to control the general spread of HIV as
long as no measures are taken involving areas of prostitution,
since they are at the heart of the epidemic.
With
the collaboration of Canadian and African partners CCISD
intends to implement a strategy for:
-
syndromic control of STIs in high-risk populations in
areas of prostitution
-
targeted community participation
-
creation and strengthening of specialized basic health
services
-
the utilization of generic drugs in a cost recovery perspective
in order to guarantee minimum sustainability. For this
purpose health workers will receive training in techniques
for planning and managing medication. Moreover, CCISD
is working with central pharmacies to ensure complete
availability for the said medication
-
systematic technical follow-up and monitoring of projects
-
analysis of gender relationships
The
results obtained to date are encouraging. In addition, this
multidisciplinary and pragmatic approach to the AIDS problem
has enabled CCISD to establish approaches that could easily
be adapted to other aspects of basic health care.
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