Country watch: Europe
Brussa, L.
Sexual Health Exchange 1998(4): 5-7
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 1388-3046 PMID: 12295153 Document Number: 282220
In Austria, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, the Transnational AIDS/STD (sexually transmitted diseases) Prevention Among Migrant Prostitutes in Europe Project (TAMPEP) is working with 23 groups of female and transgender sex workers who have migrated from Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. TAMPEP uses cultural mediators and peer educators and also offers prostitutes seminars, workshops, and other field activities to empower them and create an environment that supports safer sex behavior. Because sex workers migrate, new peer educators are continuously trained. The most successful peer educators are leaders of their target group; exhibit some knowledge of health, educational talents, and excellent communication skills; and are highly ambitious and motivated. TAMPEP spends 2-3 months selecting, training, and following-up peer educators. Peer educators receive a small fee while undergoing training, and they participate in course design. The peer educators receive a certificate upon completion of the course. Cultural mediators conduct follow-up by supporting the peer educators as they assume their new role, providing additional information and materials, and facilitating contacts with public health personnel. Lessons learned the program's first five years reveal that peer education programs should: 1) be part of a broader effort to improve conditions for migrant sex workers, 2) be conducted by autonomous community-based organizations, and 3) continuously adapt to change.