Biomedical

BHESP is an organization that deals with sex workers and women who use drugs to form an important epidemiological link for HIV transmission to the general population, which is attributed to the increased frequency of high-risk sex and HIV risk behaviors that render them susceptible to the acquisition and easy transmission of HIV and AIDS. In this case, BHESP believes that sex workers are an instrumental force in curbing the escalating infection rate of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. With this in mind, BHESP has adopted a strategy of training sex workers, women who use drugs, and WSW as peer educators as an entry point to reach other women within their networks. The trained peer educators exhibit leadership skills, and control and are influential to their women and their clients.

BHESP HIV and AIDS project priority areas of focus are based on the Kenya National AIDS Strategic Plan (KNASP III) 2009–2013, which seeks to deliver an HIV-free society in Kenya by reducing new HIV infections, improving the quality of life of those infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS, and mitigating the socio-economic impact of the scourge.

The cornerstone of BHESP’s work is peer education and outreach. Peers are selected and trained to take on empowerment, and support, including the entire portfolio of HIV infection, risk management, and vulnerability. Initially, the training revolved around IEC on STIs/HIV as well as safe sex negotiation, organizing both formal and informal discussion sessions on access to health services and the rights of sex workers, WSWs, women who use drugs, and bar hostesses, encouraging counseling and testing for HIV, ensuring testing for and treatment of STIs among these vulnerable women. Seeking to ensure that they are reached with the HIV minimum package, BHESP reaches out to our members through our trained and qualified peer educators.

In addition to one-to-one interaction and peer outreaches, BHESP has established two fully equipped wellness centers and 10 satellite drop-in centers to provide friendly on-site health services to key populations in various parts of urban centers where key population numbers are high. Additionally, BHESP conducts mobile wellness vans as a link between key populations and our Well and Drop in Centers.