AFEW: Projects >> Harm Reduction Training Projects (Ukraine)

Harm Reduction Training Projects
Ukraine

PROJECT DURATION: November 2001 through April 2004

SPONSOR(S): MATRA (Dutch) - Social Transformation Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.minbuza.nl)

PARTNER(S): 21 regional non-governmental organisations working on HIV prevention among injecting drug users (IDUs)

REGION(S): Ukraine

BACKGROUND:

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is currently growing faster in Eastern Europe and Central Asia than anywhere else in the world. According to UNAIDS, in 2002 there were an estimated 250 000 new cases of HIV, bringing the number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the region to 1.2 million. Given the high prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections and high levels of injecting drug use among young people, the epidemic will continue grow at an alarming rate.

Ukraine was the first country in EECA to face an HIV epidemic and it is continuing to experience a massive outbreak. According to the Medical Statistics Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, as of July 2003, there were 57 140 registered cases of HIV. However, UNAIDS estimates that the true figure is close to 500 000, or approximately 1% of the population. Thus, Ukraine is the first country in Europe to have reached an adult HIV prevalence rate of 1%.

During the last five (5) years, HIV has been spreading particularly rapidly among injecting drug users (IDUs). Currently, however, it has begun to spread to the general population through sexual intercourse. In 2000, 30% of newly registered HIV cases in Ukraine were sexually transmitted, a jump from 10% in previous years. The high prevalence of syphilis - e.g., 113.1 per 100 000 in 1999 - in the region indicates that unprotected sex is common.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:
To support the development and implementation of a comprehensive and sustained country-wide training programme on HIV/AIDS prevention strategies among IDUs in Ukraine according to international standards and thus to reduce the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine.

PROJECT PURPOSE:
To improve the quality of services provided by HIV prevention projects who work with IDUs in Ukraine

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
1. To set up a four-year, Kyiv-based training programme to improve services for IDUs through 21 harm reduction (HR) and/or needle exchange projects (NEPs) operating in 21 Ukrainian cities (20 regions)
2. To provide individualised consultancy to 21 HR projects and/or NEPs through a three-year scheme consisting of two site visits per year to each project beginning in the second year of the project
3. To secure intensive knowledge transfer with regards to HR services both to projects and to specialised professional groups on the local level

TARGET AUDIENCE(S):
Governmental and non-governmental specialists working in 21 Ukrainian HIV prevention and/or HR projects, as well as local journalists and representatives of local health care administrations and HIV/AIDS service providers.

(EXPECTED) RESULTS:
1. Trainings:
AFEW will conduct at least two (2) trainings each year for 21 Ukrainian organisations which engage in HR activities. Topics covered in the trainings will include the following:
· Project Management
· Organisation of outreach work
· Advocacy
· Rapid Situation Assessment
· Financial Management
· Materials Development
· Care and Support for PLWHA
· Fundraising
· Public relations and working with the mass media
· Motivational interviewing and pre- and post-HIV test counselling
· Living with HIV/AIDS
· Building partnerships
· Prevention and management of burn out syndrome among HR employees
· Co-dependency

2. Consultancy:
AFEW consultants will visit each organisation twice each year to provide individualised consultation and training.

3. Advocacy:
During site visits, AFEW will facilitate advocacy training and activities including round tables discussions for local authorities.

4. Sustainability:
As part of the exit strategy and to sustain on going regional training and technical support, at least one organisation will be selected for further capacity building to facilitate the gradual hand over of activities from AFEW to those organisations.

(EXPECTED) SUCCESS:
1. Trainings and Site Visits
· Training workshops will be evaluated positively by trainees and external observers
· Knowledge tests completed during training seminars will reveal an increase in knowledge

2. Improvement of Services:
A baseline evaluation of services provided to IDUs was set up at the start of the project cycle for each HR project and/or NEP. This was measured through observations, standard interviews with IDUs and staff, and project data. Expected indicators of success include:
· An increase in the number of clients receiving services from each HR project and/or NEP
· A decrease in needle and/or syringe sharing among IDUs receiving services
· An increase in the number of syringes, needles, and/or condoms distributed
· An increase in the number of IDUs referred to rehabilitation services (where available)
· External evaluation will demonstrate an improvement in service delivery

3. Sustainability:
After one year of the project cycle, at least one organisation will have attained the capacity to take over project activities.

(EXPECTED) MATERIALS PRODUCTION:
· A Harm Reduction Digest - 200 to 300 copies per issue
Published four (4) times a year providing detailed, scientific information on HIV prevention treatment, care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, the results of conferences, and acting as a catalyst for networking by reporting on developments in other projects in Ukraine and other former Soviet countries, as well as global trends and events

· A total of 10 booklets for clients of HR projects will be produced and distributed. The following seven (7) booklets are already in print as of 1 September 2003 - 114 000 copies in total
- 'Important Information for Needle Exchange Clients' - 25 000 copies
- 'Overdose' - 25 000 copies
- 'Drugs and Men: There is an exit' - 25 000 copies
- 'Hepatitis' Comic - 25 000 copies
- 'HIV and AIDS' Comic - 5 000 copies
- 'Safety First', by Marsha Rosenbaum - 5 000 copies
- 'Home Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS' - 4 000 copies

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Yuri Sarankov
Project Co-ordinator
Harm Reduction Training Projects
AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW)
E-mail: yuri_sarankov@afew.org

Office Address:
Esplanadna Str. 28A/2
Kyiv 01023 Ukraine
Tel: +38 044 220 6478, 220 4517
Fax: + 38 044 220 6478
Website: www.afew.org

International Postal Address:
AFEW
P. O. Box 75752
1070 AT Amsterdam
The Netherlands