Objectives
- Increase the knowledge level on HIV/AIDS and Fertility Management issues
- Increase risk perception
- Decrease the number of non-regular sex partners
- Increase the number of respondents capable of negotiating for protective, safer sex.
- Increase accessibility to condoms
GSMF International has entered into partnership with Ghana Hairdressers and Beautician Association (GHABA) and Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA) for smooth implementation of this project. With the help of the executives of these associations, GSMF recruited, trained and equipped apprentice teachers to educate the apprentice and other shop owners during their meeting days. The associations have included HIV/AIDS education in their curriculum.
TOOLGUARD 1 is running in some selected towns in all 10 regions in Ghana especially in the regional capitals (Tamale, Wa, Bolgatanga, Techiman, Kumasi, Koforidua, Accra, Takoradi, Cape Coast, Tema, Ho, Hohoe and Aflao).
In order to increase the target audience, build an image for TOOLGUARD and also increase the awareness of TOOLGUARD programme in the entire country, 114 salons and shops were selected for merchandizing. These shops were given TOOLGUARD signages, aprons, capes, mirror messages and leaflets. Owners of these shops were given training in order to educate their clients on HIV/AIDS issues whiles providing them with quality service.
Efficient monitoring and evaluation system has been put in place. There are supervisors who supervise activities of apprentice teachers and also write up monthly report on these activities. Follow-up surveys are conducted periodically to ascertain the extent of progress.
TOOLGUARD 2The Woodworkers and Mechanics’ Programme also forms part of GSMF International’s informal sector educational programme on HIV/AIDS. This programme is an expansion of the existing HIV/AIDS interventional program for Hairdressers and Dressmakers. It is dubbed TOOLGUARD 2 and is targeted at male out-of-school youth within the age range of 17-35 years. This gender biased targeting is a deliberate strategy to compliment the intervention with their female counterparts, the hairdressers and dressmakers. The programme aims at giving knowledge to reduce infection among woodworkers and mechanics nationwide and also make it easy and comfortable to work and live with colleagues living with HIV/AIDS.
Objectives
- To increase risk perception
- To increase number of respondent who report negotiating condom use with non-regular partner
- To reduce number of non-regular sex partners
- Increase condom use
- To recruit non-traditional outlets
Confidential Voluntary Counselling and Testing (CVCT) is organised for the mechanics and woodworkers. This is to offer this targeted audience the opportunity to know their HIV/AIDS status. It also offers an opportunity to those who have already tested, confirm their status. GSMF International partners with West Africa AIDS Foundation, a voluntary counselling and testing organisation to conduct this exercise.
Under the TOOLGUARD programme refresher trainings are organised for peer educators to energise them in their educational activities. They are equipped with T shirts, male and female condoms, literature on HIV/AIDS/STIs. These materials are expected to help them deliver the messages effectively.
To effectively reach out to the targeted populace, GSMF International works hand-in-hand with Community Based Organisation (CBOs) to effectively organise outreach programmes. This strategy is also to strengthen local capacity for sustainability purposes.
Various information, education and communication(IEC) materials in the form of leaflets, T shirts, stickers with behaviour change messages on them have been produced and distributed to this targeted group to serve as a daily reminder of HIV/AIDS.
A number of interventional activities in the form of outreaches, film shows, and fun games have been used to provide the target populace with the information on HIV/AIDS/STIs to promote the adoption of healthy sexual lifestyles.
Achievements
A total of 710 members have been recruited, trained as peer educators and equipped with toolkits to use in educating their colleagues. Of this, 460 are apprentice teachers and shop owners and 250 are mechanics and woodworkers.
To ensure commitment and support from the association of dressmakers and hairdressers for the HIV/AIDS interventional programme, a partnership agreement has been entered into with Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA) and Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association.
A number of outreach programmes to reach out a larger number of the targeted audience in the form of film shows, quiz competitions, fun games have been used to provide the target populace with information on HIV/AIDS and other STIs to promote the adoption of healthy sexual lifestyles.
A total of about 300 salons and dressmaking shops have been branded and stocked with a variety of HIV/AIDS and other reproductive health literatures, such as leaflets, mirror messages and other behaviour change materials to serve as a resource centres to reach out to target, their clients and other users of the shops.
