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Project to Support the Fight AIDS in Gold-Bearing Sites of Burkina Faso (PAPSIFER)
The interventions of the AIDS 2 Project in Burkina Faso
(1996-2001), generally focused on migrant groups, and on
gold-bearing and mining sites (traditional and mechanical).
Its innovative orientations and methodology, which have been
enhanced by lessons learned during AIDS 3 (now in progress),
are the basis of the current project, which targets
artisanal, small-scale miners (also known as gold washers),
and populations living/working in the vicinity of
gold-bearing sites.
In the course of this project, the CCISD will be providing
preventive and curative services to these groups (i.e.
proper and efficient handling of STIs); It is an approach
that needs to be adapted to the particular nature of these
poorly-known high-risk groups.
That is why the CCISD proposed applied operational research
initiatives right from the onset of the project,
consolidating interventions choices and ensuring long-term
efficiency.
There are four components to helping control STIs: (1)
Community support and communication for behavioural change;
(2) training and upgrading the skills of health care
personnel in regards to STI national screening algorithms
and patient counselling (including recommending the
partners be notified, and promoting voluntary screening on
the model of AIDS 3’s “adapted services”); (3) mobilizing
the vested local and national authorities; (4) establishing
more equitable gender relations.
The CCISD also ensures coordination with/between health care
workers, from a multisectoral intervention perspective.
Their monitoring and that of the overall system (e.g. drug
availability) is done in collaboration with the local
équipes-cadre de district (ECD) and the permanent
secretariat of the National Anti-STI/AIDS Committee, in an
effort to ensure the proper transfer of responsibilities
following the consultation process.
Year 1
objectives are:
1.
To improve availability and accessibility of
healthcare services specifically adapted to deal with the
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of gold washers.
2.
To promote the empowerment of gold washers at the
social and community level by supporting advocacy and social
mobilization initiatives they undertake, their organization
into groups or associations, and the improvement of gender
relations (particularly in regards to health and sexuality
issues).
3.
To increase the availability and accessibility of
condoms (both male and female) to help prevent STIs/HIV/AIDS
in gold washers;
4.
To increase the gold washers’ level of knowledge of
STI/HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention.
5.
To increase our own knowledge of STI/HIV/AIDS
transmission issues, particularly in relation to the links
between gold washers and commercial sex networks in
gold-bearing areas.
The one-year renewable advisory project (June 2004 –
December 2006) will cover the Central, West-Central, and
South-Central regions, as well as the Plateau Central.
Documents and reports:
MàJ
2005-07-17
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