Nenita L. Ortega, RMT MA, Nelia Albino, Geena Gonzales
Clinica Remedios*, Remedios AIDS Foundation**, United People MultiPurpose Cooperative***

PARTNERSHIP WITH PEER EDUCATORS/FACILITATORS
AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY
TO MODEL STD/HIV/AIDS CLINIC
BY WORKERS WITHIN THE SEX INDUSTRY

AIM:

To assess attendance to the model STD/HIV/AIDS Clinic by sex industry workers led by their peer educators and facilitators.

METHODOLOGY:

The Model STD/HIV/AIDS Clinic providing a holistic approach to address their health seeking behavior was established in a community were sex work is rampant. Potential peer educators and facilitators from the sex industry were trained on health education and promotion to include counseling. These trained PEFs go on outreach to the community and watering holes of sex industry workers together with the clinic service providers to reach men and women of the industry. Informal discussion and IEC campaign are done on site. Confidentiality and anonymity is guaranteed among clienteles. This is followed by on site free clinics. All these are facilitated by the peer educators with technical assistance from the clinic providers.

RESULTS:

Of the total 1000 sex industry workers (SIW) who consulted the Model STD/HIV/AIDS Clinic, 75.6 % came back for follow up while 24.4% were lost to follow up. With the massive on site free clinics done by the Model STD/HIV/AIDS Clinic, one third of the those lost to follow up were reached again by the project.

CONCLUSION:

Peer led approach is a vital and most effective strategy to reach the target audience. Innovative approaches are of equal importance as well.