HIV/AIDS Education P & O Ferry Crew Project

Abstract

This project was undertaken to enable crew members to reduce their personal risk of being infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and to encourage an interest in issues around HTV/AIDS so that peer education could occur. Specifically it was hoped to clarify routes of transmission, to create a relaxed informal forum during which the concerns of crew members could be expressed and addressed and to advertise available services. It was planned to discuss safer sexual practices, distinguishing between “safe” and “safer” sex.The majority of participants (84%) felt the session had improved their understanding of the issues and also that they intended to “spread the word”. Most participants identified the sexual and injecting routes of transmission although only a small number (19%) mentioned the mother to child route. Most identified “safer sex” to mean condom use although there was still confusion over the term “safe sex”. Attitudes were largely sympathetic and concerned towards the idea of a HTV positive crew member. Participants were divided in their view of HTV as something that could affect them and most felt that they could not be infected personally. Sessions were generally much appreciated showing that HIV/AIDS could be usefully integrated into the existing crew training programme. Work is ongoing involving management workshops, induction training and the development of a specific leaflet.