Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programmes with Sex Workers Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programmes with | Page 76

3 Community-led Services

Box 3.4

Case example: Approaches to training community outreach workers
Kenya’s National STI and AIDS Control Programme has developed a toolkit for male and female community
outreach workers (peer educators) consisting of a reference manual, a training manual and a participant
notebook (not currently available online). The toolkit uses simple language and drawings. The manual
consists of seven modules:
1. Peer educators: Who we are and what we do
2. All we need to know about HIV, STI and sexual and reproductive health
3. How to prevent HIV and STIs
4. Knowing our HIV status: promotion of HIV counselling and testing
5. Planning our future
6. Creating an environment for behaviour change
7. Recording and reporting our progress
In Macedonia, Health Options Project Skopje (HOPS) has a less formal training programme and curriculum
that are tailored in content and duration to the background, education level and skills of each group of
community outreach workers. Topics include:
• History of HOPS, its mission, programmes, organizational structure
• The role of the community outreach worker in HOPS
• HIV and AIDS and STIs
• Outreach work and principles of outreach work
• Human rights and sexual rights
• Human trafficking and sexual exploitation
• Introduction to HOPS’ harm reduction programme
• Types of drugs and consequences of drug use
• Site visit to sex work location and to the programme’s safe space (drop-in centre)
Awarding participation certificates to community outreach workers for completing training or other courses
encourages them, and acknowledges their efforts to learn and build professional skills. This is especially
true for sex workers who have not had basic formal education.

C. Implement and manage outreach
How community outreach workers promote access to services
Condoms and lubricant: Community outreach workers support behaviour change (i.e. adopting
and/or adhering to safer sex behaviours) by demonstrating, promoting and distributing condoms
and lubricants. They are often the most relied-upon source of condom distribution in areas where
programming is new and sex workers have not adopted consistent condom use with clients and
regular partners. Even in longstanding programmes, sex workers’ need for relatively large numbers
of condoms gives community outreach workers an essential role in the supply chain.
Clinical services: Community outreach workers form a link between the community and clinical
services. Upon the request of sex workers, they may accompany them to clinical services and
advocate for them as needed. Community outreach workers promote, explain and record STI clinic
and voluntary HTC referrals and visits. Community outreach workers provide essential insights to the

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