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Programs |
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Final Report for the AIDSCAP
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Table of Contents I. Country Program Description
III. Non-Subproject Highlights (See Below) III. Non-Subproject Highlights Behavior Change Communication a) National AIDS Conference In July 1996 AIDSCAP/DR organized the National AIDS Conference "AIDS: A Challenge to Development." The purpose of the conference was twofold: to address the AIDS epidemic as a development problem rather than a health problem and to present and discuss the accumulated experiences of AIDSCAP/USAID supported projects during the last four years. It was attended by over 600 individuals from GOs, NGOs, CBOs, donor agencies and the private sector. Pre-conference workshops for specific target audiences (military, private sector and mass media) were held to create awareness about the AIDS situation among these groups, and to leverage their support and involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. Joint actions were planned with some of these groups. Another pre-conference workshop was held with CSWs in coordination with COIN with the purpose of strengthening the CSW Women's Movement group (MODEMU) as an AIDS prevention group and become part of the Latin American Network of CSW groups. This conference increased awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the DR. It was an excellent forum for disseminating information and sharing experiences related to the NGOs and AIDSCAP's activities. AIDSCAP/DR's capacity building efforts sparked special interest in participants, especially in other donor agencies. Numerous requests for more information on the programs were received. Interest in future interinstitutional collaboration were also expressed. Mass media (television, radio and print) fully supported the conference evidenced by the numerous radio and television appearances. The conference's proceedings were printed and disseminated among interested parties involved in HIV/AIDS prevention. b) Activities with the Military The AIDSCAP/DR program collaborated with the Armed Forces' AIDS prevention efforts on numerous occasions. Collaboration included training in STIs (diagnosis and treatment, syndromic management) and donation of condoms and educational materials. One of the main activities conducted with this audience was a seven-hour workshop held in July 1996 as part of the AIDS Conference. Fifty high level officials from the Navy, Air force and Army participated. The activity was held at the Military Institute of Higher Learning and received full support from the Armed Forces Secretariat. To address information needs among this target audience, an AIDS prevention poster promoting condom use and a brochure on STI/AIDS and health seeking behavior were recently developed. Capacity Building a) AIDS Hotline Until 1996, the existing STI/HIV/AIDS hotline information services in the DR were inoperative. During FY96 AIDSCAP/DR supported the local NGO, Instituto de Desarrollo y Salud Integral (INDESUI), in including STI/HIV/AIDS information services on their suicide/depression hotline. AIDSCAP's support consisted of the provision of computer equipment, a data base, and training for 14 hotline supervisors on STI/HIV/AIDS, counseling and use of the computerized information system. Updated information on HIV/STI/AIDS and information on AIDS services providers, as well as crisis management are some of the services that can be accessed through this hotline. The hotline telephone number is included on the youth mass media campaign materials, since these materials generally trigger searches for information on AIDS. AIDSCAP also supported and guided INDESUI in establishing interinstitutional agreements to assure the sustainability of the hotline beyond AIDSCAP. An agreement was made with the PUCAMAIMA University, which designed and installed the computerized information system, to maintain the system and provide continuous training to the personnel. Another agreement was established with the Institute of Human Sexuality (ISH), which will provide continuous training on STI/HIV/AIDS. PROCETS agreed to yield its hotline number to INDESUI, along with its personnel. This is a free telephone service PROCETS obtained from the local telephone company. PROCETS also agreed to furnish INDESUI with updated epidemiological information. b) Integration of HIV/AIDS Services in MOH Centers In collaboration with PAHO, support was provided to the MOH's National Adolescent Integral Health Program (PRONAISA) in implementing adolescent integrated health services, including HIV/AIDS, in eight health centers of the country. Two training workshops were held for 32 service providers including doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers. The first workshop was a basic training in STI/HIV/AIDS and adolescent integrated health. The same group was then trained on how to implement these services in the MOH health centers were they work. Participants conducted a series of activities to link and promote the new services in their communities. This included meetings with parents, youth and teachers in schools, and youth organizations. The implementation of these services was monitored during a three month period, providing support and feedback when needed. Since then, PRONAISA has continued to expand these services with assistance from other donors. c) Training in STI/HIV/AIDS Counseling The AIDSCAP/DR program provided training in STI/HIV/AIDS counseling to a group of 35 clinicians, psychologists and/or educators from the AIDS and FP NGOs in Santo Domingo. This training enabled participants to provide adequate counseling services directly from their institutions. The training program included individual follow-up visits to participants during three months to discuss difficulties encountered in providing counseling. A refresher session was also held in order to certify participants. d) Theater Training Program for Youth Organizations AIDSCAP/DR sponsored a theater training program for organizations working with youth. The purpose of this program was to form new theater groups within these organizations for HIV/AIDS prevention among adolescents. Participants were young health promoters from the following youth organizations: CASCO, IDDI, PROFAMILIA, and Casa del Pueblo. The program included an initial training and then biweekly sessions with each group of trainees for three months to provide feedback on their acting/presentations and to support them in creating the new groups. A total of 30 youth were trained (16 males and 14 females). By the end of the training program new theater groups had been formed to support CASCO, IDDI and Casa del Pueblo's AIDS prevention activities. PROFAMILIA already had a theater group, but was trained and strengthened in AIDS prevention. An interesting aspect of this program was the cross fertilization sponsored between the local theater expert implementing this training program and the Village Improv, a US- based theater group, very experienced in provocative/street theater for AIDS prevention among adolescents. e) Workshop for People Dealing with AIDS AIDSCAP/DR supported Patronato de Solidaridad in conducting a workshop for people dealing with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this activity was to promote and strengthen participants' personal growth and development of skills to deal with the disease. This was the first workshop of its type conducted in the country. It brought together HIV positive individuals, health care providers, and people involved in AIDS prevention. A total of 69 people attended this four-day seminar. Sexually Transmitted Infections a) STI Congress AIDSCAP/DR collaborated in raising awareness about STIs among physicians and other health personnel. Support was provided to UDOCETS in holding the Second National STI/AIDS Congress. This congress was a unique training/updating opportunity, and allowed for the exchange of experiences among local and international GOs and NGOs. b) STI Program Management International Courses AIDSCAP/DR provided technical and logistics support to UDOCETS for two of their annual international STI/AIDS Program Planning and Management Courses. These courses were held in 1994 and 1995 and were attended by representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries. They were co-sponsored by the European Union , FHI and PAHO. c) Development of STI Service Referral Guide AIDSCAP/DR developed an STI service referral guide. It contains lists of clinicians/non-clinicians who participated in the CETS/INTEC STI Algorithm Training program. It also includes other noted health professionals working with AIDS. The guide was distributed nationwide and added to the AIDS Hotline referral section of the computer database to facilitate referral to appropriate and high quality STI services. d) Improvement of STI Reporting The AIDSCAP/DR program assisted the Dermatological Institute's STI Department in strengthening their STI reporting system. Computer equipment and technical assistance was provided for the design and installation of a computerized reporting system for STI statistical data. With this new MIS DETS will be able to provide the most up-to date and accurate statistics on STIs managed at DI. This will help guide the development and reorientation of STI programs as needed. e) Development of STI Guidelines AIDSCAP/DR collaborated with PROCETS in developing preliminary National STI guidelines. These are based on the syndromic approach to STI diagnosis and treatment and are key to the enhancement of STI/HIV service delivery and reporting systems. It is another step on the way of making syndromic management the official treatment protocol for STIs nationwide. f) Improvement of NGO STI Services AIDSCAP/DR provided support to COIN and COVICOSIDA for the improvement of STI services being provided to CSWs in clinics in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata. New equipment and expendable materials were procured and facilities upgraded. Policy Throughout the life of the AIDSCAP/DR program efforts were made to create awareness about the important role NGOs play in AIDS prevention in the country. In 1993 AIDSCAP assisted PROCETS in holding an event with key public and private sector decision and policy makers, religious leaders and cabinet members. Projections and trends of the epidemic were presented through the year 2000. This event may have been instrumental in having the AIDS Law enacted. In 1994, AIDSCAP provided logistical and technical support to the NGOs it was financing to conduct a presentation on their work and accomplishments. This activity was attended by representatives of donating agencies, ministries, universities, the church and the general public. Women and AIDS Activities Women and AIDS became a program support area in May 1994, with guidance from the AIDSCAP Women's Initiative (AWI). AIDSCAP/DR played a very active and leading role in promoting attention towards the Women and AIDS in the DR. The following actions were accomplished: a) Women and AIDS Meeting In September 1995 AIDSCAP/DR collaborated with the Instituto Nacional de la Salud (INSALUD) in holding the first meeting in the DR on Women and AIDS. The purpose of this activity was to create awareness about STI/AIDS and its impact on women. It was attended by more than 20 individuals working with women and AIDS prevention. This event set the basis for the development of HIV/AIDS actions addressed to women. b) Development of Women and AIDS Action Plans The AIDSCAP/DR program supported the development of a Women and AIDS Plan. It includes two specific action areas: Services and Behavior Change Communication (BCC). This was accomplished through the leadership of INSALUD (Dominican Public Health Assoc.) and in close collaboration with NGOs, GOs and private sector organizations working in favor of women and health. It was incorporated as part of the National AIDS Control Plan. c) Women and AIDS Conference AIDSCAP/DR supported the Instituto APEC de Educación Sexual (INSAPEC) in holding a Women and AIDS Conference. The Women and AIDS Action Plan developed by INSALUD with AIDSCAP/DR's support was presented and discussed during this event. The conference sparked interest from different sectors interested in women and AIDS. Approximately 200 individuals from 36 institutions participated in the Conference. AIDSCAP/DR also assisted INSAPEC in production of the Conference's proceedings. d) Commercial Sex Workers' Convention AIDSCAP/DR provided support to COIN in holding the First Convention of Commercial Sex Workers in the DR. The purpose of this activity was to raise awareness of all sectors of the Dominican society about the social conditions and problems affecting commercial sex workers. The convention was extremely successful, with over 350 participants including COIN and COVICOSIDA's Health Messenger Volunteers, CSWs, professionals and students from the health field. Full coverage from all of the national newspapers, as well as local and international radio and television stations was obtained. AIDSCAP/DR also supported COIN in producing the proceedings of this Convention. Women and AIDS Training Activities Throughout the last five years the AIDSCAP/DR program sponsored the following gender training activities: a) Development of AIDS Prevention Programs for Women In September 1995 AIDSCAP/DR provided support to INSAPEC in holding a workshop for organizations working with women. Twenty-two individuals from 20 different organizations were trained to develop AIDS Prevention Programs for Women. This workshop was linked to the Women and AIDS Conference held by INSAPEC. b) Training Program on Women/Gender Issues AIDSCAP/DR sponsored a three month training program in gender issues for COIN's Workplace Project Health Messenger Leaders and Volunteers. The purpose was to educate and sensitize participants in topics related to women such as: women and HIV/AIDS, women and sexuality, and reproductive health. A total of 37 people were trained. After the trainings, HMLs and HMVs conducted their educational and outreach activities promoting a different concept of women's health. Development of Gender Sensitive Educational Material The AIDSCAP/DR program conducted focus groups discussions among Haina IZ workers in order to design a gender sensitive educational material for the project. Results were used to adapt an existing Brazilian/BENFAM material on negotiation and dialogue between couples. Results also served to strengthen and redirect the project's educational activities. Support to Demographic Health Survey (DHS) AIDSCAP/DR was highly involved in the planning and implementation of the 1996 DR DHS, since its results are valuable baseline data for future programs with the general population. The survey included an STI/HIV/AIDS module which was created by AIDSCAP/HQ and translated and validated by AIDSCAP/DR to make it culturally appropriate for the Dominican population. Several training sessions were held with interviewers so they could better understand and use the module. Specific training was provided on STI/HIV/AIDS and survey approach techniques. A session to desensitize interviewers in conducting questions in the sexual arena was also conducted. A follow-up session was held with interviewers upon initiation of interviews to obtain feedback on any problems encountered with the module. AIDSCAP/DR also provided T-shirts, caps and bags to the interviewers for identification. See Table 4 in Attachment A for details of the outputs of the country office activities. |
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