Source: The National - Monday 10th October, 2011
By SHIRLYN BELDEN
A STUDY by the National Research Institute reveals that having multiple sexual partners and not using condoms have caused the fast spread of HIV/AIDS in rural development sites.
The study was conducted on Oil Search Ltd workers.
It looked at the long working shifts, sex regulation on site, concurrency of sexual relationships and practices and location of sites where money was available.
The factors are revealed to be the increasing vulnerability to and risk of HIV/AIDS for the workers.
These factors are:
l Practices such as cutting of penile foreskin where the cutting instrument is reused;
l Sexual violence;
l STI treatment and assistance seeking;
l Lack of consistency in condom use;
l Concurrency of sexual partners from a range of sexual network;
l Limited knowledge of HIV/AIDS and STI; and
l Stigmatisation and discrimination.
NRI director Dr Thomas Webster said: “We need to understand where we are most vulnerable and at risk and identify appropriate measures to reduce risk factors,” he said.
The study aimed to identify, understand, analyse and assess policy-related issues around sexuality and sexual health, and the structural factors within the OSL work environment that impact on their practices.
It was also to provide an insight into how work environment and economic development can influence sexuality and sexual practices, marital lives and the concurrency of sexual partners of mobile workers.
The study was conducted in 2008 and 2009 by personal interviews and questionnaires.
Research facilitator Holly Buchanan said the study would help to target continuing prevention strategies and policy considerations for OSL workers and other rural development sites in the country.
The report was launched last Thursday by Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Jamie Maxtone-Graham at NRI in Port Moresby.
Maxtone-Graham said the research had provided the Department of Health with data for its national surveillance system to help monitor behavioural trends with the more-at-risk people and places overtime.
The behavioural surveillance survey research was an initiative of the NRI and the Department of Health as its national response to HIV/AIDS in the country.
The study was carried out on a number of rural development sites including the WR Carpenters plantations in Western Highlands and the proposed Jiwaka province of where the report
was launched early this year.
With an extensive HIV education programme in place, Oil Search is utilising the information to identify and address further responses to HIV prevention, treatment and care to minimise the impact of HIV in its workplace and surrounding communities
A STUDY by the National Research Institute reveals that having multiple sexual partners and not using condoms have caused the fast spread of HIV/AIDS in rural development sites.
The study was conducted on Oil Search Ltd workers.
It looked at the long working shifts, sex regulation on site, concurrency of sexual relationships and practices and location of sites where money was available.
The factors are revealed to be the increasing vulnerability to and risk of HIV/AIDS for the workers.
These factors are:
l Practices such as cutting of penile foreskin where the cutting instrument is reused;
l Sexual violence;
l STI treatment and assistance seeking;
l Lack of consistency in condom use;
l Concurrency of sexual partners from a range of sexual network;
l Limited knowledge of HIV/AIDS and STI; and
l Stigmatisation and discrimination.
NRI director Dr Thomas Webster said: “We need to understand where we are most vulnerable and at risk and identify appropriate measures to reduce risk factors,” he said.
The study aimed to identify, understand, analyse and assess policy-related issues around sexuality and sexual health, and the structural factors within the OSL work environment that impact on their practices.
It was also to provide an insight into how work environment and economic development can influence sexuality and sexual practices, marital lives and the concurrency of sexual partners of mobile workers.
The study was conducted in 2008 and 2009 by personal interviews and questionnaires.
Research facilitator Holly Buchanan said the study would help to target continuing prevention strategies and policy considerations for OSL workers and other rural development sites in the country.
The report was launched last Thursday by Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Jamie Maxtone-Graham at NRI in Port Moresby.
Maxtone-Graham said the research had provided the Department of Health with data for its national surveillance system to help monitor behavioural trends with the more-at-risk people and places overtime.
The behavioural surveillance survey research was an initiative of the NRI and the Department of Health as its national response to HIV/AIDS in the country.
The study was carried out on a number of rural development sites including the WR Carpenters plantations in Western Highlands and the proposed Jiwaka province of where the report
was launched early this year.
With an extensive HIV education programme in place, Oil Search is utilising the information to identify and address further responses to HIV prevention, treatment and care to minimise the impact of HIV in its workplace and surrounding communities
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments on this Post