Refocusing Our HIV Programs

August 20, 2004

The African Salvation Group has been providing free voluntary HIV counseling and testing to the residents of the Masina/Kingasani community for almost two years now through our HIV awareness workshops. Over this period it has become increasing evident to us that certain members of the community are at higher risk for HIV infection than others. Of those we assisted with taking the HIV-antibody test, 80% of the HIV positive results were women.

Because these alarming statistics, the African Salvation Group is reevaluating our HIV Education and Prevention programs. We plan to have more targeted interventions where the most vulnerable members of the community would receive particular attention. These are women in general, young female prostitutes and their clients. We will also step up our education for the uniformed men and women agents of the police and armed forces.

We have already conducted two pilot workshops among the National Police Force unit of the Marché de la Liberté Sub-Section in Masina. This turned out to be an extraordinary success given the enthusiastic responses of the men and women of this unit. In fact, they have referred dozens of family members to us to take the HIV-antibody tests too.

This strong showing to see our interventions continue encourages us and reinforces our conviction to do the best we can.