AID [i.e. AIDS] communications and technical services

The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) will implement the project, with assistance from two centrally funded activities: the AIDS Communication Program (AIDSCOM) and the AIDS Technical Services Program (AIDSTECH). The project will establish a database to help Eastern Caribbean governments develop AIDS strategies and intervention programs. Baseline and periodic seroprevalence data will be collected from random samples of the general population and high risk groups. Surveys will also be conducted in participating countries (except Trinidad & Tobago and Monserrat) to assess the population"s knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding AIDS. The project will sponsor an epidemiological research workshop and a technical symposium on HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (emphasizing syphilis) to review survey results and identify future research priorities. The project will, as its chief focus, establish programs to help prevent the sexual transmission of AIDS. Communication/education activities implemented will help public and private health education personnel and local PVO"s (e.g., parent/teacher associations, youth councils) develop activities for their communities. In addition, a training program will assist the following: health educators, health care providers, and community leaders in health promotion (e.g., motivating and group organizing); counselors in family, risk reduction, and pre- and post-HIV test counseling; and country government personnel in the development of an AIDS Hotline. Moreover, the project will work with the mass media to promote accurate AIDS coverage, upgrade STD clinics in selected countries (e.g., Antigua and St. Lucia), and support intensive TA in two "model countries" as means of testing specific prevention messages and interventions. Finally, the project will implement several self-contained, country-specific subprojects designed to test strategies for behavior change among various subpopulations (e.g., condom use studies). The project will provide TA to strengthen the institutions responsible for implementing AIDS programs. Workshops will be held to improve managerial skills. Topics will include, inter- alia: workplan development; time, task, and personnel management; and listening skills. Additionally, a management information system will be established to track blood transfusion services and related costs, and a low-cost HIV detection methodology which screens pooled blood samples will be tested. In particular, the Trinidadian National Blood Transfusion Service will assess the potential for developing a cost recovery program for blood transfusion services (including HIV screening), and Barbados" MOH will conduct a feasibility study and develop an operational plan for an AIDS hostel. Amendment of 7/31/91 authorizes Phase II of the project, with the following changes. (1) CAREC will officially be the lead role implementing agency, rather than a partner with U.S. TA organizations, and will receive long-term TA to improve its capabilities in social science research and communications; (2) youth and associated high risk groups will be especially targeted by the educational campaigns; (3) the collection, analysis, and monitoring of data on the incidence of Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (CSTD"s) will be intensified; and (4) the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation will develop several educational/communications packages. (PD-ABC-420)