Congress Paper Abstract

Developing effective HIV/AIDS programs for transgender / transsexuals working as sex workers.

Khartini Dinan Slamah, Director, IKHLAS, PINK TRIANGLE, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Email: ikhlas2@hotmail.com

Issues: HIV/AIDS Education & Awareness to transgendered sex workers community.

Projects: A transgendered program targeting the transgendered transsexuals sex workers reaching out to transgendered community at brothels, back lanes, streets and homes of transgendered / transsexuals sex workers. In-house, house, retreat and peer educator workshops is also carried out. This is followed up by meetings among peer leaders who come together to priorities issues and action. Media orientation discussion to highlight issues and to sensitize the public about transsexuality.

Results: Outreach is an effective methods of reaching out to the transgendered / transsexuals sex workers communities. "Fun"/retreats workshops allow them to consider and discuss behavior change. peer educators allows for information dissemination to take place in a non confrontational manner. Increasing numbers of transgendered sex workers are determined to use good quality condoms . Increasing numbers of transgendered sex workers switching from oil based antiseptic lubricants to water based lubricant. Issues of discrimination and abuse prevented sex workers from taking concrete steps in ensuring that their work place and their self in safe from HIV.

Lesson Learned: Although the community was considered difficult to reach in AIDS prevention and care. It was found that the methods of empowerment, peer education and the creation of a safe space were effective in bringing about behavior change. Rights of transgendered/transsexuals could not be ignore in ensuring behavior change.

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