T12-O-07 Mobile service unit for sexworkers who work on the streets, Istanbul, Turkey

• Published in: Sexologies : European journal of sexology Vol. 17; p. S163
• Main Authors: Ozgulnar, N., Cokar, M., Sasaoglu, F., kayaturk, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.04.2008
• ISSN: 1158-1360; 1878-1829
• DOI: 10.1016/S1158-1360(08)72970-0

to prevent HIV/AIDS through empowerment of safe sex behavior among sexworkers (SWs) working at streets. This project which is held by the Human Resource Development Foundation between January 2006 and July 2007. The target group was sex workers who are working at streets, main roads in Istanbul. This is a community based training and condom distribution intervention. A minibus purchased and transformed into a mobile training and counseling unit. Four field workers were participated the training program consisted STIs, sex work, violence, communication and counseling sessions. IEC materials including sexually transmitted diseases, condom use and safe sex, safe working conditions, sexworkers human rights, HIV/AIDS prevention for sexworkers and VCT's brochures and 5 minutes film on STIs prepared by project team. The mobile unit started to visit both sides of Istanbul and the field workers reached sex workers and informed the target group members on safe sex, distributed IEC materials and condoms and referred them to Counseling Center. Sexworkers also watched the film on STIs if the conditions were suitable. Field workers reached 2742 target group members and delivered 13566 brochures, 112135 condoms and 63600 lubricants. A total of 1464 street SWs received one-to-one training and counseling and also 567 people were referred VCT centers by field workers on the streets. to use mobile service unit seems to be appropriate approach to SWs.