Survey reveals 1,082 men having sex with men in St. Kitts and Nevis
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter- SKNVibes.com
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - A recent survey conducted by International AIDS Alliance, Caribbean Office revealed that 1,082 men are reported to be having sex with men while 400 persons are selling sex in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The figures are contained in monthly reports submitted by Alliance’s community animators in the years 2005, 2006 and part of 2007.
The same survey also found that 165 Persons Living with HIV spoke to Alliance’s community animators and the majority of them were not coming forward to access services.
National AIDS Secretariat Coordinator Gardenia Destang-Richardson spoke about the Alliance’s survey during the presentation of the Draft Strategic Plan 2008-2012 to Ministry of Health officials, representatives from various ministries and members of the civil society at a meeting held at the Red Cross Building in Nevis.
A similar exercise is scheduled to take place today in St. Kitts.
Richardson called on stakeholders to reach out to the vulnerable groups when the Federation’s National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2008–2012 is implemented.
The National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan provides an overview of the priorities and strategies for the next five years.
The NSP expands on former national strategies, drawing on the lessons about the causes and consequences of the epidemic and lessons about the national response to HIV/AIDS.
In 2007, several assessments and participatory review processes were conducted, including assessment with support of the World Bank and UNAIDS’ tools. ~~Adz:Right~~
A national consultation with participation of all relevant stakeholders, including people affected by HIV and AIDS, identified priorities for the next five years.
