Guinea: Anti-AIDS Alliance in Siguiri, Guinea

• Overview
• Partners
• Target Audience
• Objectives
• Activities
• Outputs
• Impact
• Future Plans

Overview

With a population of over 150,000, Siguiri is among the most populated prefectures in the region of Haute Guinea. It is a gold mining region with multitude of international and local companies. Houses of prostitution abound, offering their clients a choice of sex with or without a condom. "Direct contact," as it is called, costs the equivalent of US $ 2.50, while "indirect contact"-with a condom-cost only $ 1.

Siguiri is known to have the highest number of séré in Guinea, with over 70 registered. Sérés are social associations of people of the same age group. They meet regularly to respond to members' needs and undertake community activities. Siguiri natives living in Conakry, the capital city, have formed a Committee of Reflection for the Development of Siguiri, composed of political leaders, doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, teachers, etc., including a representative from each séré.

Partners

• The Committee of Reflection for the Development of Siguiri (in Conakry)
• The Siguiri Anti-AIDS Prefectoral Alliance
• PSI/OSFAM

Target Audience

Residents and former residents of Siguiri, Guinea.

Objectives

To bring together residents and former residents of Siguiri, Guinea to assess the community's need for information on HIV and AIDS and determine a course of action. Specifically, to

• Raise awareness of HIV: its prevalence in the district, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent transmission.
• Increase the practice of preventive behaviors.

Activities

In January 2001, the CCP Resident Advisor in Guinea met with the Committee of Reflection to share with its members available data on the prevalence of HIV in their home city in the hope that they might be stimulated to action. Three weeks later, the Committee decided to dedicate year 2001 to combating HIV. Sabati, a séré of 30 to 40 year olds, was given the responsibility to work with PRISM/JHU during the Tabaski holidays to raise Siguiri people's awareness of HIV and increase the practice of preventive behaviors. During the three days of this Muslim holiday, all sérés, traditional and appointed leaders, and local NGO representatives attended conferences and talks about HIV. Videos and live theater performances presented as well.

Outputs

• Residents of Siguiri, as well as Siguiri natives living in Conakry, decided to create the Siguiri Anti-AIDS Prefectoral Alliance, appointing the Prefect to be its President. This coalition is composed of members selected from all community structures, financial partners, syndicates, and NGOs.
• All séré leaders requested and received from PRISM/JHU an orientation on STD/HIV and preventive behaviors. The orientation consisted of a one-day session during which videos on STD/HIV were shown and commented in Malinke. The videos were followed by sessions on preventing STD/HIV and unwanted pregnancy, and negotiating abstinence and condom use. All participants were committed to share what they had learned with members.

Impact

• Due to the demand created by the event, PSI/OSFAM was able to sell 20,000 condoms. The USAID mission recognized it as an example of the kind of synergy of effort that projects should be exhibiting in the field.
• Alliance members were very effective during the youth campaign launch in August 2001.
• The condom component of couple years of protection (CYP) in the PRISM project area has increased from 2.4 % in 2000 to 4% to 2001.

Future Plans

A campaign aimed specifically at miners in the regions of Mandiana, Siguiri, Kerouané and Kouroussa is being organized. In each site, 5 miners will be trained as peer educators.

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