MIDDLE AND EAST BLACK SEA REGION PUBLIC AWARENESS PROJECT ON THE PREVENTION OF STI-HIV/AIDS

Background Information: After the collapse of Soviet Union illegal sex workers with entered to Turkey through Sarp border gate and reached entire area from Hopa. They operated illegally because there were no brothels in Central and East Black Sea Region. In the first years of the dissolution of Soviet Union AIDS/HIV did not affect the nationals of these countries in a wide scale. And for that reason the effects to the region were limited. Today the situation changed dramatically. The dramatic increase of infected people in CIS countries is threatening in a more dangerous way the Black Sea region through non-marital sexual contacts. Even though there are HIV/AIDS cases in these provinces (there are 38 cases), the density is not at a threatening stage. Even though there exists a certain level of awareness in the region, the infection is regarded as nothing more than a fearsome incidence. On the other hand other STIs, specially syphilis, gonore and hepatitis B is wide spread. Even though an important portion of the population is affected from the infections, the subject is set aside as it is regarded as a taboo in the society. 

Project Summary: The project aims to increase awareness of the 40% of population living in city centers, that are above 15 years old on prevention of STI and HIV infection, to increase condom use in the target region as well as to increase access to and utilisation of STI services, including screening counseling and treatment at the target area in one year through media campaign, web site and trainings.

Project Goal: The project's specific objectives are to increase awareness of the 40% of population living in city centers, that are above 15 years olds, specially the people who can influence various segments of the society, young people, people with hearing or seeing disabilities as well as construction workers, of prevention of STI and HIV infection, to increase condom use in the target region, to increase access to and utilisation of STI services, including screening counseling and treatment at the target area in one year. 

Project Beneficiaries: 40% of population living in city centers, that are above 15 years olds, specially the people who can influence various segments of the society, young people, people with hearing or seeing disabilities as well as construction workers.

Implemented Activities:

I. Introducing the Project to the Local Authorities and Public Institutions. Project briefing brochures of 15 thousand were published and disseminated. 

II. A 30 days social marketing campaign including TV and radio programmes, TV and radio advertisements, newspapers advertisements were prepared and released through local and national media channels in order to create community awareness on the sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS. 

III. 45.000 of Brochures informing the public about infections spread through sexual contacts, the HIV infection, preventive measures against HIV infection, use of condoms, screening, consulting and treatment services related with STI and access ways to these information were prepared and disseminated. Posters, billboards and stickers (7000 pieces) were prepared, disseminated and hanged. 

IV. The web site ( www.korkmakorun.com ) were designed in order to give main information about the project as well as the topics covers in scope of the project. Users could ask their questions related to HIV, how to protect from the virus, how to reach health services about the virus without giving their names. Experts answered the question on weekly basis. The site were visited more than 20.000 times till the end of the project. The address of the web site was advertised in 10 most popular regional links for 6 months. 

V. Intuitions briefing seminars were held in Samsun and Trabzon . 

VI. In the scope of the “Project Settlements”, 16 doctors from Samsun , Trabzon , Sinop, Hopa, Giresun, Ordu and Rize received training of trainers in order to carry on community leader trainings.

VII. Community Leader trainings were held in Samsun , Trabzon , Sinop, Hopa, Giresun, Ordu and Rize. 50 meetings were held and more than 1000 community leaders including sight disabled people, hearing impaired people, representatives of local NGOs, sports clubs, construction workers and students were trained. 

VIII. Institution Briefing Seminars were held in Trabzon and Samsun (for each city 3 seminars) and in the other cities for each one seminar.