A therapeutic community for HIV-infected persons: an approach for prevention and control of AIDS
Warnnissorn, T.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 78(10): 559-564
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 8576664 Document Number: 443135
The DAYTOP (Drug Addicted Youth Treated on Probation) Village, Inc., USA, is the oldest and largest drug addict rehabilitation program on the East Coast of America and the best prototype for similar programs worldwide. Addicts are rehabilitated through the Therapeutic Community (TC) concept in which individuals learn to overcome their drug problems and become contributing members of the community. Drawing upon the TC concept, Thailand's Department of Communicable Disease Control, through Ford Foundation and World Health Organization funding, implemented a trial residential program during 1989-91 for mainly female prostitutes infected with HIV. Volunteer participants aged mainly 18-20 years, in the age range 15-36 years, lived together to complete 60-day programs during which they received information and education on AIDS, improved their physical and mental health through daily activities, and established new values and lifestyles. Over the course of the trial program, a total of 81 female and one male asymptomatic HIV-infected prostitutes still active in their business participated. 19 of the participants subsequently decided to leave prostitution, while 34 expressed their desire to keep in touch with the TC program for information, advice, and assistance.