The Sex Worker Protection programme (Ban
galore):This prevention programme has been strengthened over the course of the year by focusing on reflection, systems and increased volunteer support.

Namma Arogya - Sex Worker Protection (Raichur / Koppal Districts):Unlike in cities, rural sex work is dispersed in tiny clusters through the general population, making HIV prevention, education and awareness efforts more difficult. The clusters in Raichur and Koppal districts are smaller and more spread out following raids by police and other local groups in the mid-90s. Sex workers include housewives who need to supplement family income and unmarried young women earning money for their dowry. With the start of project funding from the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society, the sex worker programme has been able to recruit and train a more extensive network of taluk-based peer educators to reach out to the 829 sex workers identified so far. This network is further supported by regular Health Camps, STI clinics and services at key taluk locations.

Healthy Highways Project (HHP) - Trucker Protection (Koppal District):This project continues to operate along the national highways running through Koppal district. This year, volunteer peers are supporting the programme through condom demonstration, condom and pamphlet distribution and trucker referrals to STI Camps. Risk perception has increased noticeably among truckers, leading to greater interest in seeking out voluntary HIV counseling and testing services.

Highlights 2002

Capacity Building for Peer Educators :

In the Sex Worker Protection programme, peer educators (sex workers who are responsible for field implementation of the project) underwent capacity building training. This resulted in a greater sense of programme ownership and improved documentation systems.

Spreading Awareness in Brothels :

The team has also identified volunteers to extend field reach and encourage brothel madams to maintain copies of STI information, photo albums and referral books. The madams conduct information sessions and motivate sex workers to practice safer sex.

Advocacy at Remand Home :

Advocacy and outreach at the State Remand Home continues. We also initiated a cell along with PUCL to fight police violence against sex workers.

Peer Volunteer :

Peer Volunteers are supporting the Healthy Highways project through condom demonstrations, condom and pamphlet distribution, and trucker referrals to STI camps.

HHP has worked at the Kukanpalli truck point for 5 years. This year, when an HIV+ trucker was clearly sick and needed help, the dhaba owner took the initiative to bring him to the SAMRAKSHA HIV/AIDS Clinic at Kustagi for treatment. The trucker, already in the last stage, expired on the way. The dhaba owner and others working at the halt point conducted a funeral for the deceased trucker. This event is indicative of increasing community sensitivity and understanding about people living with HIV/AIDS.

KEY LEARNINGS:

Identifying and relying on the support of an increasing number of volunteers in the field makes for a stronger and more effective prevention network.

Team members are coming across an increasing number of truckers who have already had themselves tested for HIV/AIDS and know that they are infected. The team is having to adapt its Behaviour Change Communications to deal with issues of care and treatment accessibility.

IN THE PIPELINE...

... increased networking and collaboration of the Namma Arogya and the Healthy Highways Project with the rural care and rural community mobilisation programmes, including an expanded network of Clinics and Information Centres.

... targeted interventions focusing on identifying more volunteers and peers who can support prevention efforts.