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Seafarers and HIV/AIDS

Seafarers and HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS Risk Factors for Seafarers Seafarers are highly mobile, traveling through many ports in different countries and across continents.

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Seafarers and HIV/AIDS

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  1. Seafarers and HIV/AIDS • HIV/AIDS Risk Factors for Seafarers • Seafarers are highly mobile, traveling through many ports in different countries and across continents. • Seafarers spend lengthy time away from family in stressful environments which may foster risky behaviors such as alcohol and other substance abuse and unsafe sex. • Workplace HIV/AIDS Challenges • Strong sex industry presence and lack of facilities for alternative leisure activities at ports • Lack of information on HIV/AIDS and STIs on and off ship, and language barriers against obtaining accurate information in foreign ports • Lack of confidential medical services on ship or in ports, deterring seafarers from seeking tests or treatments for fear of losing their job HIV Prevalence at Sea Philippines Health Department (2003) found that 12 % of the population who tested HIV-positive were seafarers Vietnam Provincial Committee found (2002) that 10% of the population who tested HIV-positive were seafarers (International Transport Workers Federation) Transport Against AIDS Transport and Social Responsibility

  2. Air Transport Industry and HIV/AIDS Male cabin crew members were found to have excess mortality from AIDS. AIDS was the most frequent single cause of death in this group. (Mortality from Cancer and Other Causes among Airline Cabin Attendants in Europe, Zeeb, Hajo; Maria Blettner, Ingo Langner et al, 2003) • Issues for flight crews living with HIV/AIDS: • Medical regimes difficult to uphold when flying across many time zones • Medication needing to be refrigerated • Restrictive visa/entry requirements in some countries. • VARIG Brazilian Airlines HIV/AIDS Program (1985-2003) • Annual prevention campaign on World AIDS Day • Free VCT services to employees • Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) to employees and their families. • Free cargo handling to anyone in Brazil requiring drugs not available in the country. Transport Against AIDS Transport and Social Responsibility

  3. Corporate Response to HIV/AIDS in India Total truckers treated 316,432 Truckers STI treated 77,784 Interpersonal Communication contact 2 million Population reached by IEC 457,794 Condoms socially marketed 2.02 million • Project Kavachof Transport Corporation of India • The program targets long distance truck drivers and helpers though national network of interventions along major highway hubs • The program includes education campaigns using game kiosks, peer dialogue and clinic services • Outreach Program of theDelhi Metro Rail Corporation • A baseline study showed that 59% of workers had little or no knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and that 87% had little or no knowledge about how HIV is transmitted. • The program targeted migrant workers and contractors in the workforce of Delhi Metro project, and included, advocacy, institutional capacity building, peer education and condom distribution. Transport Against AIDS Transport and Social Responsibility

  4. HIV/AIDS: Stigma at Work Fighting stigma in the workplace: • Offer counseling, care and treatment services • Support education about HIV transmission; involve people living with HIV/AIDS and show their diversity • Train staff and contractors on confidentiality, nondiscrimination, and cultural diversity • Ensure confidential results of tests Transport employers and employees alike must understand and address HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace HIV/AIDS stigma refers to unfavorable attitudes and policies directed toward people who are believed to be living or associated with HIV/AIDS.Stigma in the workplace takes many forms that canresult in discriminatory actions, ranging from the unfair treatment to the rejection or firing of employees based on their real or perceived HIV status. Factors that explain stigma in workplace include: • Lack of confidence in information provided • Uninformed fear of contagion • Social and cultural norms about Sexually Transmitted Diseases Stigma and discrimination can threaten the fundamental rights of employees living with HIV. But, the loss of workers, skills and experience can also increase the burden on the remaining workforce, lowering morale and reducing productivity. Transport Against AIDS Transport and Social Responsibility

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