Evaluation of STD/HIV/AIDS peer-education and danger: a local perspective.
An evaluation of peer-education projects with sex workers, men who have sex with men and marginalized adolescents, was introduced in a remote region of Brazil. The context of varied limits of predictability made it difficult to conduct inquiry. To go beyond available epidemiological surveys and questionnaires on sexual behavior, a self-evaluation aimed at increasing pragmatic knowledge about prevention in a challenging socio-political context. During five-months, a participatory-action research explored participant observation; individual and collective exchanges with users, peer-educators, coordinators, administrators, politicians and regional health professionals. Collective understanding of peer-education in prostitution zones underlines the reality of unforeseen social repercussions and confluence/divergence of multiple actors' perspectives. It identifies meaningful dimensions at a community-level, such as the collective history and dangerous working conditions. Nurses face complex struggles and negotiations over multiple actors in their practice. This study suggests that nurses have a role to play in the conceptualization of participatory evaluation. It also underlines the threats to their physical and social safety, which they might share with peer-educators.
Laperrière
Hélène
H
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. hlaperri@uottawa.ca
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014754:Violence