Changsha engages “peer publicists” to disseminate AIDS knowledge

On July 25th, Changsha News learned that Xiao Hongyou, a worker in a certain hotel in Changsha, has a whole other identity. She has signed a contract with the Changsha Center for Disease Control to become a "peer publicist" in "public entertainment places' (translator's note: establishments doing business in sex trade). She will disseminate knowledge about prevention of AIDS and STIs to colleagues and friends around her. At present, the Changsha CDC along with some workers at these places, have concluded and signed Peer Publicist Employment Agreement.

"Peer publicist" refers to a form of education by which people of the same sex, similar age, similar background, common experiences, and similar physiological condition who for certain reasons and using their common language come together to share information, ideas, and behavioral techniques.

Changsha CDC STI/AIDS Prevention Department Chief Huang Zhulin explained, according to this agreement, the Changsha CDC entrusts these contacted organizations to launch this peer publicity work among sex workers ("service personnel") at these venues, and provide informative materials and condoms free of charge. This is so that these sorts of places can launch trainings on AIDS prevention, condom use, condom techniques, and related knowledge. The contracted organizations bear responsibility for carrying out the publicity and training for AIDS prevention knowledge and at the same time train a certain number of "peer publicists" from within the groups of sex workers. They are to participate in trainings and forums organized by the CDC according to the agreed upon times, participate at least twice in the larger-scale trainings and publicity activities, as well as take charge of providing their peers with informative materials and a medical card.

Changsha CDC Deputy Director Wang Xiao expressed that engaging these peer publicists is beneficial for strengthening that STI/AIDS publicity campaign towards sex workers, and reduces the risk of AIDS and STI transmission among the sex workers. It also helps the high-risk behavior intervention team members to better develop AIDS publicity work in these places, and at the same time, by means of these pilot projects promote new establishment of new models for high-risk behavior intervention.