ACTIVITY

VOLUME

COMMENTS/AMPLIFICATION

INFORMATION:

- Stickers distributed

5,978

- Booklets distributed

10,573

- Bookmarks distributed

10,820

- Clients watching Video

2,976

EDUCATION:

- Persons talked to by volunteers

10,203

The total number of persons with whom the volunteers have talked represent 1 in 5 of the adolescent and adult population of Klong Toey. The discussions were conducted either on a one to one basis, in family units or in peer groups. Each session lasted from 5-14 minutes and involved questions and answers. Topics included: HIV and how it is transmitted; the symptoms of AIDS; the implications of having the HIV test; high risk behaviours and ways of modifying or eliminating them. Particular attention was given to dispelling misconceptions about the HIV/AIDS and to the need for care and support within the home for people with AIDS-related illnesses.

HIV TESTING:

- Persons tested (using the Dupont HIV Chek)

3,102

Various types of counselling were carried out by the programme, including: (a) mandatory pre-test counselling, done individually or in groups, either at the ACT Center or in the community. This counselling ensures that clients understand the purpose of the HIV test and the possible implications of the result; (b) discussions about high-risk behaviours, either individually or in groups, to exchange views on how to modify or eliminate them; (c) individual, in-depth counselling in which clients examine their own high-risk behaviour and consider safer alternatives; (d) reinforcement counselling, carried out through home visits, for clients who fail to appear at the ACT Center to receive their test result; (e) post-test counselling carried out individually at the ACT Center, regardless of whether the result is positive or negative.

HIV TESTING:

- Persons tested (using the Dupont HIV Chek)

621

Positive results were confirmed by Elisa tests carried out by the Thai Red Cross. During this period, a total of 43 persons (7%) tested positive, of whom 30 were identified through the community outreach programme; another 10 were female sex workers referred by brothel owners. Some 93% of those who tested HIV-positive belonged to three groups -female sex workers, injecting drug users and male heterosexuals - although these groups accounted for only 45% of those tested. Female spouses accounted for 50% of the tests but only one member of this group tested positive. Unless prevention efforts are effective, however, many more wives are likely to become HIV-positive in the near future.