USAID HIV/AIDS / STIs & TB Project

Background, Scope & Goals
 

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death for people with HIV and is spread through the air by sneezing, coughing, speaking or other means. Due to depleted immune systems people with HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to latent TB infection and to contracting TB. It is a common recommendation that all people with HIV be tested for TB also.

Commercial sex workers (CSWs) have been identified as a key target population in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS / STIs in Laos. Working in Vientiane and Khammouan Provinces, PEDA aims to control the spread of HIV and TB in these target populations. This will be achieved by educating, engaging and providing information and support regarding HIV and TB, as well as through TB screening and referral for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment. 

Outcomes & Interventions

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• Training of ten CSWs as Peer Leaders

• Delivery of outreach education by project Outreach Workers to support PE and CSWs in terms of TB screening and referral for VCT and ARV treatment

• Development of monitoring and evaluation tools for project data recording

• Advocating with shop owner to build co-operation

• As of August 2014, 1,079 CSWs had received information about HIV and TB, and 430 had been tested for HIV and screened for TB

The project began in October 2011 and concluded in August 2014.