Transport Against HIV/AIDS in Cambodia

Maria Margarita NunezEASTE

28 November 2007

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Cambodia: HIV/AIDS 2005 Statistics

• Population: 14.07 million • Extent

Prevalence of HIV, total (% population ages 15 - 49) 1.64

12,000 children under the age of 15 living with HIV/AIDS

More than 60,000 children have lost one or both parents to AIDS

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Cambodia is particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS

Stigma and fear of HIV/AIDS carriersBehavioral changes, more men are

visiting sex workersHighly mobile population

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Cambodia: Need to reduce the HIV/AIDS threat

• The road to reducing the epidemic in Cambodia is to intensify prevention efforts and targeting vulnerable groupsDrug usersSex workersConstruction workers and truckers

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• Reduce risks effectively with limited resourcesAlign to a multi-sector approach

(coordinated efforts)Make use of centralized delivery

(mainstreaming national agenda)

Transport Sector Strategy

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Addressing HIV/AIDS in Transport

• Inclusion of HIV/AIDS education activities in project design

• HIV/AIDS education is part of ‘Health and Safety’ in the new Bank Standard Bidding Documents (civil works)

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Work to Date

• 2005 – Provincial and Rural Infrastructure Project Funded by the RGC and the IDA Credit

• 2007 – proposed Road Asset Management Project Funded from IDA Credit ($160,000) and

AusAID Grant (US$40,00)

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Project Component Objectives

• Raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs);

• Lower risk of HIV/AIDS and STD transmission;

• Reduce rate of HIV/AIDS and STD infections, and

• Support institutional strengthening within MPWT

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Approach to HIV/AIDS Awareness

• Develop Program Conduct Rapid Assessment Co-ordinate with other agencies Develop materials

• Deliver Program Conduct field visits Communicate knowledge and life skills on

HIV/AIDS Inform about the Voluntary Counseling and

Testing (VCT) sites Evaluate Results

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• Covered 100% of the project area • Trained

70% construction workers and administrative personnel

17,489 village people in 22 villages in 4 target provinces

• About 10% visited a VCT site for pre-test consulting services

• About 10 people per month get tested for HIV/AIDS• 5,000 handouts and brochures each have been

distributed• 20,000 condom have been distributed

Coverage (end-December 2006)

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Lessons Learned to Date

• Include the local health department• Target Road agencies staff,

administrative staff and workers of construction companies, and residents

• Most villagers had never participated in a HIV/AIDS education – a short story works better than a video spot

• Provide incentives for increased participation of male population

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Lessons Learned (continued)

• Encourage including at least one activity that includes someone living with HIV or AIDS as part of the training

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Thank You