Progoti Samaj Kallyan Protisthan (PSKP), Dhaka, Bangladesh 

OBJECTIVE
To implement peer education program through encouragement of workers to seek information and services on HIV/AIDS.

BACKGROUND
The HIV/AIDS peer education project in garment factories in Dhaka was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the HIV/STDs Activities in Bangladesh (HASAB) linked with international AIDS Alliance. 

The baseline study for the project showed women to have low knowledge about HIV/AIDS risks. The women also suffered untreated STDs and did not like using condoms. There was widespread practice of premarital and extramarital relationships and the women also face sexual coercion in the workplace where there was also poor hygiene and sanitation.  Thus, the need for peer education program to encourage these workers to seek information and services on HIV/AIDS. 

SCOPE 
The program is being piloted in one of the biggest factory in the capital city Dhaka with 7,000 workers. 5 factories were involved and 100 peer educators were trained with different educational background. They received training and attended different seminars regarding HIV/AIDS. They continuously attend World AIDS rally every year along with other workers. 

MAIN ACTIVITIES 
Within the workplace, the project implemented a peer education program with the support of the employer. As an incentive to sustain the interest of peer educators, they are given certificates for attending training, badges for recognition, picnics for recreation, and study tours to enable them to observe the programs of other factories. 

EVALUATION FINDINGS 
The project found peer educators to be effective in disseminating information in the workplace. They were able to increase the level of knowledge and awareness about HIV and STDs among workers. The project also succeeded in improving health-seeking behavior as seen from the number of women going to the PSKP clinic. Moreover, the project has been able to generate the support of the employers, thereby providing some sort of guarantee that the project’s goals and activities will continue to be pursued. 
 

Strategy

• Building a good relationship with the owners and the workers to improve the quality of reproductive health within the workplace

• Developing of peer educators for continuous dissemination of information regarding HIV/AIDS with a view to develop HIV/AIDS program that are long term and sustainable

• Convince factory authorities to provide a supportive environment for their employees in order to conduct health education sessions

After the training, the female factory workers were able to identify the present problems they are facing at the workplace and steps were taken to solve those issues with the help of the authorities.

Mobilizing Resources 

• Planning development of an appropriate peer education module

• Development of peer educators network of different organizations

• Encouraging formation of peer educators forum has led to the development of innovative programs by the peer educators at their respective workplace. 

Community volunteers from the surrounding communities of the factories will be involved in this program for back up support and other health services will be incorporated phase by phase in the near future for the betterment of the factory workers and productivity.