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Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Review

A decade of an HIV workplace programme in armed conflict zones; a social responsibility response of the International Committee of the Red Cross

Authors: Stéphane Du Mortier, Silas Mukangu, Charles Sagna, Laurent Nyffenegger, Sigiriya Aebischer Perone

Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works in fragile States and in armed conflict zones. Some of them are affected by the HIV pandemic. Within the framework of its social responsibility programme concerning HIV affecting its staff members, the organization has implemented an HIV workplace programme since 2004.

We carried out a retrospective analysis over 10 years. Data collected were initially essentially qualitative and process-oriented, but were complemented over the years by data on annual voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) uptake and on direct annual costs covering awareness, testing and antiretroviral therapy.

The number of people covered by the programme grew from none in 2003 to 4,438 in 2015, with an increase in annual VCT uptake over the years increasing from 376 persons (14 %) in 2007 to 2,663 in 2015 (60 %).

Over the years, the services were expanded from awareness raising to bringing VCT to the workplace, as well as offering testing and health coverage of other conditions and innovative approaches to facing challenges linked to situations of violence.

Within its social responsibility framework, the ICRC has shown the importance and feasibility of a workplace HIV programme in conflict zones. A sustainable workplace programme in these conflict settings requires constant adaptation, with regular follow-up given the relatively high turnover of staff, and ensuring sustainable stocks of condoms and antiretroviral drugs.

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Title: A decade of an HIV workplace programme in armed conflict zones; a social responsibility response of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Authors: Stéphane Du Mortier
Silas Mukangu
Charles Sagna
Laurent Nyffenegger
Sigiriya Aebischer Perone
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6673
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-016-0119-4

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

A decade of an HIV workplace programme in armed conflict zones; a social responsibility response of the International Committee of the Red Cross

Abstract

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Abstract

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