INTEGRATING STIGMA REDUCTION MESSAGES IN PEER EDUCATION

AT THE WORKPLACE

“THE POSTA EXPERIENCE”.

FRANCIS NG’ANG’APOSTAL CORPORATION OF KENYA

P.O. BOX 34567, NAIROBI – 00100

TELE: +254-50-2020132CELL: +254-722-865721

EMAIL: fnganga@posta.co.keWebsite: www.posta.co.ke

Background

The Postal Corporation of Kenya, has more than 4,000 employees spread out in the over 400 Postal outlets in the country.

PCK is divided eight administrative regions. Before the year 2000, Posta did not have any

activity on HIV & AIDS. It did not have a policy on the same. It did not have trained peer educators. Correct information on HIV & AIDS was lacking

and the information available then was scanty, incorrect and often misleading.

Background cont….

Self-stigma was also high leading to self-isolation.

Fear of victimization and rejection led to low disclosure and hence failure to enter the treatment program.

Due to self stigma some of the infected refused to access ART from nearby hospitals.

For fear of being seen taking the drugs, some opted to postpone the time for taking the medication hence risk of developing drug resistance.

HIV infection was equated to death and one was not expected to live.

Background cont….

Due to the stigma on VCT and TB testing, there was very low uptake of these services.

AIDS was viewed as curse hence the infected saw no need for seeking medication.

Culture was also used as a tool to promote stigma against the use of condoms.

Background cont…………….. The level of stigma was very high. The infected were

being referred to as victims. The undue attention given to known infected staff

dissuaded others from opening up. The infected were looked upon as guilty and sinful

people who engaged in irresponsible sex. If an employee known to be infected was around, there

would be no hand greetings or hugging. Some used dettol to wash their hands after greeting

known infected staff. Cases of employees breaking cups and utensils that had

been used by known HIV ve+ staff made the others fear to disclose their status.

Some of the stigmatizing messages and words used included among others:- Amepatwa, slim, he deserves it, Watu wa ukimwi, amekanyaga livewire - even peer educators were referred to as people with AIDS

What has been done. In the year 2000, employees of PCK were given the

initial PEs training which covered among other things stigma reduction.

The PEs initiated group and one to one sessions with the staff with great emphasis on stigma reduction.

They have participated in community outreach activities that have been giving emphasis on stigma reduction.

Raised awareness among the staff on matters of stigma reduction, RH, HIV & AIDS etc

Several employees who have undergone the testing for HIV have been able to disclose their status.

What has been done cont……

Networks and linkages with the other stakeholders have been forged to the advantage of the PEs and the employees. This is in the area of where PEs required expertise or referrals.

PEs facilitated the installation of condom dispensers within the Posta premises.

The management was sensitized on HIV and stigma reduction leading to the development of the HIV policy.

APHIA II has helped improve the referrals tools as an intervention for stigma reduction.

PEs have been involved in community outreach activities that laid emphasis on stigma reduction.

The PEs have carried out TB sensitization activities to the staff.

Our findings

Due to the integration of stigma reduction in PEs activities:-

There is a marked increase in the quality of the questions from the peers as they are now more personal.

There is also a marked increase in the uptake of referral services i.e. VCT, CCC, ART etc

The HIV ve+ have been able to access TB testing and treatment through the referrals.

There was a marked increase in the uptake of condoms in the beginning but after sometime, this went down.

Our findings cont……

Those who have gone for the HIV test were able to join post-test clubs

Those willing have been able to disclose their status without being traumatized.

The PEs have been reassuring, have maintained confidentiality and have remained non-judgmental.

Shared success stories have led to disclosure i.e. life experience sharing with confidentiality

PEs have continued to act as role-models by living the talk.

Our findings cont……

As part of the stigma reduction strategy and in an attempt to reach the other members of the employees’ family , the PEs organised the family days in Kisumu, Kakamega, Nyeri and Mombasa.

The other tool of stigma reduction was the use of PLWHAs as guest speakers where they shared their life experiences.

Information is power. Correct information helped to correct the misconceptions held leading to stigma reduction.

Lessons learnt

The use of correct and acceptable words by the PEs, was one way of reducing stigma.

When the PEs were seen interacting with HIV ve+ people comfortably, the other employees followed suit leading to stigma reduction, thus fear of the infected was reduced.

Motivational talks on positive living led to more disclosures. The demonstration on correct use and disposal of the condom

led to better understanding and acceptance. The consistent and persistent delivery of correct information

by the PEs, especially on stigma reduction led to a better understanding and acceptance of the PLWHAs.

Lessons learnt cont….

The PEs from the different cultures made the employees from these communities accept the information and hence reduced stigma.

Integration of stigma reducing messages in all their activities, keeps the message alive.

The infected must be given continuous counseling support.

PEs must be given additional training on stigma reduction techniques.

Managers do not perceive the risk of infection but imagine that AIDS is for junior officers

Lessons learnt cont…..

The integration of stigma reduction messages in the PEs sessions led to:-

A marked reduction of stigma among the employees of PCK.

Some staff being able to disclose their status. The infected able to access ART and other psychosocial

services. Correct information led to better understanding hence

reduced stigma. Interpersonal communication led to a greater willingness

by the infected to disclose their status. Through the use of appropriate and acceptable words by

the PEs made the delivery of the messages easy. The PLWHAs are no longer referred to as victims.

Recommendations Development, integration and dissemination of stigma

reduction messages in all workplaces. The part on stigma in workplace HIV & AIDS policies

needs to be strengthened. Peer education must be a continuous. Their motivation must be addressed. PEs lead the stigma reduction war, the issue of

Additional training on stigma reduction techniques for the PEs.

Training of managers as peer educators and on stigma reduction be undertaken for active participation.

Training for ambassadors of hope among the infected employees as candidates for magnification on positive living.

Continuous counseling support for the PLWHA. Mainstreaming of stigma reduction activities at the

workplace.

Finally

We must persist in our passing on of correct information on HIV & AIDS to help fight the monster STIGMA.

Lets act now!!!!!!!!!!!