hiv & aids in prisons and other areas of confinment kenya red cross society

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KHALDA .M. MOHAMMED

KENYA RED CROSS

Tel 020608613, 020608680

Khalda_moha@yahoo.com

khaldamm@hotmail.com

www.kenyeredcross.org

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HIV & AIDS IN PRISON

AND OTHER AREAS

OF CONFINMENT

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VISION STATEMENT

To be the leading humanitarian

organisation in Kenya, self

sustaining, delivering excellent

quality service of preventing and

alleviating human suffering to the

most vulnerable in the community

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MISSION STATEMENT

To build capacity and respond with

vigour, compassion and empathy to

those affected by disaster and at risk,

in the most effective and efficient

manner.

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HIV/AIDS is one amongst many other

programs undertaken by Kenya Red

Cross (KRC).

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Its goal is to work with the government

and other partners to reduce the

prevalence and impact of HIV/AIDS

through increasing knowledge on HIV &

AIDS transmission, prevention,

improving coping mechanisms and to

improve the quality of life of persons

living with and affected by HIV & AIDS

through improved care and support.

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The government prison reform policies has contributed a lot

in the reduction of HIV incidence rate in the

prisons.

True or False?

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WHY?

The prisons contain PLHIV who are serving both long and short term sentences.

Many of them do not get access to the comprehensive care services while in their jail term.

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A bigger percentage detects their HIV status once their immune systems is compromised and are suffering from

opportunistic infection.

There is a growing concern of the HIV incidence rate and stigma in prisons.

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HOW?

Through interviews, FGDs conducted

we realized gaps in the inmates

accessing essential Reproductive

Health Services.

The situation warranted a peer

education programme targeting

inmates and prison warders.

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WHAT DO WE AIM TO ACHIEVE?

1. To assess knowledge, skills and

attitudes of prison community there

hence increase awareness on HIV &

AIDS.

2. To identify viable intervention for

behaviour change.

3. To enhance access to RH services

which includes VCT, support systems

for the Infected and affected.

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What do you think is the current HIV &

AIDS situation within the prison set

up?

And how has it manifested itself?

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KEY FINDINGS

• Cross infection and incidence rate is

increasing as a result of poor living

conditions and sexual malpractices

such as sodomy, sexual assaults.

• Drug adherence is failing because of

lack of treatment supporters and

proper nutrition.

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Cont…

• The system limits an enabling

environment for immediate follow up of

opportunistic infection.

• Most prisoners are stressed hence their

health deteriorates faster and this is

even worse for the PLHIVs.

• IDU are always looked down upon

because of their physical appearance.

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Cont….

• After Peer Education training the

need to access Reproductive Health

Services was realized

• As a result of stigma inmates felt

withdrawn from the community hence

felt the need to have certificates

which will tell people that they are a

changed individuals.

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Cont….

• For those inmates suspected to be

HIV positive they would be verbally,

psychologically and physically

assaulted.

• There is inadequate information on

HIV & AIDs (using the same bucket)

• Stigma would be high if the senior

officers don’t have information.

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What is the role of Government and

key players in mitigating the above

situation?

Who could be the most suitable target

group?

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• Open Door policy.

• Formulation of HIV & AIDS policy for

the GK prison staff.

• Provide prevention, care and support

interventions that are appropriate and

sustainable.

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What has been done so far ?

• Involvement of the prison authority at the National level in the intervention cycle . Mutual understanding was reached hence:-

- Conducted the needs assessment (PUA)

- MOU

2. Mobile counselors to provide Psychosocial Support in IDP camps

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Cont….

3. Building capacity of prison community (100 members) through trainings such as;

- Professional counseling

- Peer Education

- Attitude

- First Aid

- Home Based Care

- Community prevention, Treatment, Care and Support package.

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Cont….

4. Provision of Mobile VCT services

5. Provision of Nutritional supplements

( Ujimix, Moducare)

6. Promotion of proper personal hygiene

through provision of Bar soaps, Toilet

papers, ladies, sanitary pads.

7. Linking of the ex inmates with their

families through tracing services.

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Cont…

8. Provision of HBC services

9. Weekly Peer Education sessions

10.Motivation of the peer Educators

11.Support Counselling

12.Monthly support counsellors

supervision meetings

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Cont…

13.Continuous monitoring – peer

educators report to the welfare and

copied to the Red Cross.

14.Parliamentary session

15.Video session analysis

16.Integrated Outreaches

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Immediate Achievements – IDP

Camps

• The IDPs felt cared for and

appreciated that there is someone out

there interested in their well being

• HIV/AIDS forums/talks have been

ongoing in the camps

• Empowered the PLWHAS to form

support groups

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Cont…

• Identified focal persons to represent

those willing to continue with the

intervention

• Some of the PLWHAS have accepted

their status and are willing to disclose

and even encourage others to open up.

• Client Support Centre has been

established to ensure the follow up of

identified needs of PLWHAS

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LESSON LEARNT

Inmates PLHIVs are good ambassadors of change hence they ought to be capacity build on all issues related to HIV such as TB, Drug adherence among others.

Introduction of HBC desks is a more effective way of linking the PLHIVs with other support services in the community once they are discharged.

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Cont…

In prison where HIV and AIDS programme has been introduced:-

1. There is a reduction in incidence rate

2. Increase in knowledge of HIV & AIDS

3. Level of Stigma has reduced.

4. Free discussions on issues pertaining to sex and sexuality

5. Bridged a gap between warder and inmates.

6. Pronounced service seeking behaviour

7. Enhanced positive living amongst the prison community

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Cont…

• Engaging the government to take a

leading role in prevention , care and

support interventions in the prisons

could ensure sustainability.

• Ex inmates who were trained as peer

educators are easily accepted by the

community once integrated into the

out of school peer education

programme.

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Cont.

• Upholding the inmates’ fundamental

right to access RH services can

contribute to the quality of life.

• The welfare of the affected and

infected prison community is

everyone's responsibilty.

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Challenges

• Use of Condom in male prisons

• Community attitude

• Staff Transfer

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Parting Shot

It all starts with you!

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Ahsante Sana