Tracey-Ann Wisdom, Gleaner Writer
The St. James Health Department and Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) are reporting that their HIV prevention programmes are achieving success.
Christopher Fogo, regional behaviour change communication coordinator for western Jamaica, said the interventions with commercial sex workers (CSWs) are particularly successful.
"They actually make sure they stock up on their own condoms," Mr. Fogo said.
Interventions carried out by the western arm of the Ministry of Health include weekly individual interactions with the CSWs, regular testing, condom skills training, risk assessment and reduction and referrals to clinics for treatment of other health conditions.
"They are quite receptive and open-minded and we don't have any problem with them," said Sheryl Richards, one of the department's community peer educators. She said this is because the women trust the organisation and they are treated with respect. She also said that the complaints of clients refusing to use condoms are very rare.
The department also has interventions at the various hotels and construction sites in Montego Bay, where they speak to the workers and distribute condoms. "We also have community interventions, where we have informal group discussions at bars, on the street corners, one-to-one talks. In some communities, we put up posters too," Mr. Fogo said. "We also work at the parties, like Sumfest, ATI/RTI (Appleton Treasure Island/Red Stripe Temptation Island), and Dancehall Queen."
Club activities
"We target them because people meet new sex partners at these events," added Cheryl Belcher-Peart, regional HIV prevention technical officer. "At the club sites, we also have discussions, risk assessment and condom use demonstrations."
The department also works with adolescents, both in and out of school. One of its programmes is West Health, which has weekly meetings and regular training sessions. "Some of these young people come to us from second and third form," Mrs. Belcher-Peart said. "We train them and then they train others in condom demonstrations, prevention skills and negotiation skills."
The JASL has also broadened its HIV prevention programmes to have interventions through all departments. The Targeted Intervention department works with special groups, such as CSWs, the hearing impaired and the men who have sex with men (MSM) community.
"Persons appreciate the fact that people are giving information," said Sharlene Duncan, adherence counsellor and a nurse at the JASL's Montego Bay office. "Myths are still out there, but people are receptive. They want to know."
Ms. Duncan also revealed that the JASL is developing a few new programmes, but said they are still at the discussion phase. She is particularly interested in forming support groups at high schools in the parish where students can learn about safer sexual practices in a more relaxed setting than classes. "I've spoken to a few 'schoolers' and I think this will help to prevent the spread of HIV in this generation," she said. However, she pointed out that this programme would require parental consent and sponsors.
Tracey-Ann Wisdom is the winner of the inaugural Panos Caribbean/Gleaner Newspaper Internship programme on HIV. Panos Caribbean is a development communication NGO that works with journalists to communicate on key development issues. Ms. Wisdom writes exclusively on HIV and related issues.
