Programs

NOVEMBER 2006 — Responding to the evolving risk environment for HIV, FHI is working in Laos to maintain HIV at subepidemic levels and reduce STIs among the most vulnerable.

The National AIDS Program and USAID have identified four primary "hot spots" (view map) for transmission of HIV: the capitals of Champasak, Savannakhet, Luang Prabang and Vientiane. FHI focus its efforts in those areas and in the crossroads community of Thakhek, the capital of Khammuane Province in central Laos.

Thakhek is home to an expanding number of commercial sex access points, some of them approximating brothels. Demand for commercial sex in Thakhek is fueled by long-distance commuters between central, northern and southern Laos, and by the large male workforce at the N2 dam construction site, 45-minutes away by road.

Since 2004, FHI's prevention approach has relied on paid outreach workers to conduct HIV awareness and prevention interventions among service women who work where people seek commercial sex (drink shops, night clubs, karaoke bars). Wellness centers are being created in each target district to diagnose and treat STIs, distribute condoms, serve as drop-in centers and provide bases for the outreach workers.