The PATH Project focuses on prevention of STD/HIV/AIDS among the long-distance truckers and highway female sex workers – two of the most risk prone sects vulnerable to these diseases.

The major components used in this project include Behaviour Change Communication, STD Prevention and Control and Condom Promotion through

• • One-to-One interaction
  • One-to-Group interaction and
  • BCC events.

‘Stay away from sex before marriage’, Alienate from temptations’, ‘Adhere to discipline’, ‘Avoid peer pressure’ and ‘Be faithful to your partner’ are the core messages used as an intervention strategy.

Goal

To bring down the incidence HIV/AIDS, Truckers, Allied Workers, WIP and Eunuchs at the project area in Madurai and Theni Dts.

Objectives

• To increase the knowledge of Truckers, Allied Workers, WIP and Eunuchs regarding safe sexual practices.
• To promote condoms among the target population.
• To identify, refer and counsel STD cases among the target population.
• To create an enabling environment in the target area

Target People

• Truck Drivers
• Cleaners
• Petrol Bunk Employees
• Vulcanising Employees
• Automobile Workshop Employees
• Load Men
• Commerical Sex Workers (CSW’s) / Women In Prositution (WIP).
• Associations (Truckers & Allied Workers)
• Doctor’s Associations

Strategies

• Behaviour Change Communication
• STD Prevention and Control.
• Condom promotion.
• Enabling environment.
• Peer Education.

Activities

• Intervention
  • One to One
  • Meeting
• Behaviour Change Communication
• IEC Materials Distribution
• Screening Films
• Peer Group Educator Formation
• Condom Promotion & Distribution
• Street Play
• STD Referral Services
• Counselling
• Educational Programmes
• Group Meeting

Other activity planned

• Social Marketing
• Advisory Committee

Coverage

One to One, One to Group and Repeat Visits

STI Identified        => Male – 10033; Female – 2029
Referral                 => Male – 10033; Female – 2029
Treatment             => 15187    Ref. Card. Collection => 1060

Output achieved :

Impact of the project

• Truckers and Helpers having non regular sex has decreased from 48% to 26.1%
• Involvement in paid sex has also declined from 38% to 22%
• Involvement in casual sex has decreased from 16.4% to 7.6%
• Condom usage of the WIP with their clients in the last sexual encounter has increased to 87.5%
• Condom usage with live-in partners has increased to 28.5%

Source : BSS – Wave VIII – APAC