Knowledge, attitudes and practices of housegirls on HIV/STDs transmission and risk factors.
Mwambu W; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 1018-9 (abstract no. 60103).
Upendo AIDS Information & Counselling Centre, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
BACKGROUND: Housegirls in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania are not yet categorized as high risky group. These unnoticed young women are vulnerable and prone to HIV/STDs infection. Due to serious violation of rights of the girl-child, which is probably the closest form of slavery, hundreds of thousands of young girls aged 14-20 years are made to work all day, washing, cooking, cleaning, doing child-care and other tasks, usually only in return for food, lodging and a small salary. All these contribute to subjecting them to sexual abuse by employers, adults within the household or neighbours. After the findings of a cross-sectional case control study on risk factors of HIV/STDs among housegirls, a preventive IEC/BCC intervention is carried out to create awareness and empowerment to reduce further spread of HIV/STDs infection. House to house visits and contacts followed by HIV/STDs educational video shows to households is being done. These shows are accompanied by distribution of HLMs-posters, leaflets, newsletters and condoms. Peer educators start from what the group knows building up and summarizing with questions, answers and discussions. In twelve months a target group of 2500 people have been reached. Quick Assessment of the intervention revealed that 98% have indicated learning more effectively about HIV/STDs transmission. 75% indicated desire to change behaviour towards a positive attitude. 50% acknowledged empowerment to negotiate safer sex with their regular boyfriends, partner notification, counselling and voluntary screening. An increased number of people dropping in for condoms (60%), HLMs (80%), request for video shows (75%) is an evident indicator of positive outcome of the intervention. 6% are now regular clients while 0.16% (4 housegirls) have tested HIV+ as a result of earlier indicated reasons. One male adult of a household from 0.16% above tested HIV+. However, 20% (17% women/3% male) employers are registering the concept of openness and transparency, employer-housegirls relationship for easy and positive interraction necessary for preventive measures to reduce the spread of HIV/STDs infection. EVALUATION INDICATES THAT: HIV/STDs IEC is easily welcomed and more understood by visual aids complimenting to hearing and reading especially to illiterate or semi-illiterate such as housegirls. Shyness and stigma is also minimized. A continued intervention is planned.
Source: http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=102232054.html
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