HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are particularly prevalent in mining communities in Africa, where it is deemed normal behaviour for men living away from their wives to take on numerous sexual partners, including sex workers. Sex workers are attracted to these mining towns as a lucrative source of income.
In the gold mining town of Geita in Tanzania, 19% of men and 16% of women are already HIV-positive. The epidemic is fuelled by the infection rates of other STIs, such as syphilis, which considerably increase the risk of transmission of HIV during intercourse. Malaria is also prevalent in these regions because people don’t take preventative actions, such as sleeping under a mosquito net. Three quarters of the miners in Geita have suffered from malaria at least once in the last year.
Aims
To tackle HIV/AIDS, other STIs and malaria infections within the mining community by:
- Developing and implementing a sustainable programme of health promotion, disease prevention and improved medical treatment
- Promoting healthy behaviour through awareness workshops and a Peer Health Educator scheme
- Encouraging and helping communities to prevent the spread of the diseases and to care for people living with HIV/AIDS
- Targeting female bar and guesthouse workers, treating STIs and promoting safer sex
- Providing Voluntary Counselling and HIV testing services for mineworkers and their families and improving health facilities within the community
Achievements
STI treatments have improved in the region and there is more awareness of HIV/AIDS and therefore less of a stigma attached to the disease. The community has been working together to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and looking after those already infected. These changes are as a direct result of:
- Peer educators trained from with in the workforce, local community and high-risk groups
- Provision of testing and counselling services
- Distribution of condoms and other health products
