PAC 7 side-event Seminar on project development and funding Copenhagen, Denmark 27 October 2010 in cooperation with Project concept 6 Submitted by Name of the NDPHS EG/TG or organization International Organization for Migration address International Organization for Migration (IOM) 12, 2nd Zvenigorodskaya street 123100 Moscow Russian Federation e-mail dvalentey@iom.int; rpetrovabenedict@iom.int www www.iom.int (www.iom.int/jahia/jahia/activities/by-theme/migrationhealth); www.iomrussia.ru Project concept Project title Tackling the HIV Challenge among Mobile Workers in North-West Russia (with a particular focus on St.Petersburg and Leningrad Region) Thematic area(s) covered 1. HIV/AIDS 2. Migrant Health Geographical area(s) covered 3. Health Promotion, Education and Information 4. Public health epidemiology 5. Public health practice and policy 6. Development of Health Systems and Social Services Russia (St. Petersburg, Leningrad oblast and possibly others such as Karelia, Murmansk oblast, Kaliningrad oblast), Finland, Norway and possibly others such as Baltic States, Poland. Objectives St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region is a major destination point for labour migrants arriving to Russia from CIS countries. At the time, the region is also a transit point for migrants seeking employment in the Western countries, as well as a source region for migrant workers, including truck drivers and seafarers, travelling to Finland and other EU countries. The transient nature of migrants and mobile workers life styles makes them particularly vulnerable to communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as they may display higher levels of risk behaviour because they are isolated from the families or social support networks. Such behaviour may involve extra-marital sex, sex with multiple partners, 1
using commercial sex services, etc. The overall objective of the project is to tackle the risks of HIV/AIDS and STIs among labour migrants hired by truck companies and maritime agencies, their families and resident communities of St. Petersburg and Leningrad region. Project purposes Collect baseline data and identify dynamics on HIV/AIDS and STI prevalence/incidence among mobile groups of employees recruited by truck companies and maritime agencies in St. Petersburg/Leningrad Oblast, who travel or may potentially travel to Finland/Norway and other EU countries for temporary employment; Increase the level of awareness of HIV risks, HIV and STI prevention measures, sexual and reproductive health and available medical and social support services among mobile workers in the mentioned industries and their families. Produce evidence-based recommendations and build capacity in the HIV/AIDS and STIs prevention, counseling, diagnostics and treatment services targeting mobile groups and migrant communities in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region. Type of activities to be implemented I. Research/Survey Component The aim of the research is to assess and document the links between HIV/AIDS and STIs incidence and migration (or mobile life styles) by means of three actions; literature review on epidemiological profile and collection of the background information on the incidence and migration patterns; legal and policy desk review on prevent and control HIV/AIDS among mobile groups; desk review and a survey of a sample group of mobile groups/migrants workers, migrants employers and key service providers; a forth action, a kick off / preparatory stakeholder meeting, will take place at the beginning of the project to gather feedback on the planned activities and engage stakeholders early in the project process. 1. Research on the HIV/AIDS and STI epidemiological profile of mobile workers employed by truck and maritime companies (residents of St. Petersburg and Leningrad region) Methodology: review of available literature (specialised magazine articles and publications) on HIV and STI prevalence in the selected migrant workers; 2. Research the risk exposure and life-style profile of the targeted mobile workers in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region Methodology: anonymous surveys/interviews of workers travelling abroad for temporary employment (truck drivers and seafarers), workers family members and other members of their close community; meeting and experts interviews with health care and counselling service providers, also with social workers and NGOs providing assistance to HIV-positive people (about 200 persons in total); 3. Assessment of legislation and state policies to prevent and control HIV/AIDS and their effectiveness in targeting the said mobile groups 2
Methodology: Legal and policy mapping, including mapping and literature review on HIV and STI testing, counselling and treatment services, and social support services available to resident risk population and mobile groups; analysis of corporate rules and regulations; the above interviews will be complemented here with interviews with representatives of companies recruiting truck drivers, seafarers, etc.; interviews with representatives of governmental institutions, international organizations and NGOs dealing with HIV prevention and awareness-raising work II. Awareness raising component In order to alert migrant workers in the two targeted industries in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region to the risks of exposure to HIV and STIs, and provide them with accurate information on the prevention, counselling and treatment services available in the regions, IOM proposes to develop information materials for the target groups (mobile workers, both in Russian and Finnish, building on existing IOM materials e.g. from the EC-co funded AIDS & Mobility project) and deliver 12 targeted briefing sessions in the workplaces of mobile workers. III. Capacity building component The aim of this component is to mobilize social, public, occupational health professionals and migrants employers to provide migrants with high-quality information and services referring to the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Activities: production of recommendations from the project research, 2 multi-stakeholder workshops on HIV and STI transmission risks for mobile professionals and 2 Russian/Finnish/Norwegian study tours. The Final Conference in St.-Petersburg. Actors/Project partners to be involved Partners whose participation has been discussed: North-West District AIDS centre (Russia) Federal Service for Consumer Rights and National Well-Being (Rospotrebnadzor)(Russia); Federal Migration Service (Russia) National Institute for Health and Welfare (Finland) Stakeholders: NGOs in Russia, Finland and Norway; International organizations; state structures dealing with health issues; Business organizations; trade unions; academic institutions Timeline and milestones Project duration: March 2011-March 2013 (timeframe can be adapted). On the completion of the project, IOM expects to achieve the following results: December 2011: Baseline Data Trends and risk factors referring to mobile workers groups exposure to HIV/AIDS and STIs have been established based on research and surveys of some 200 persons. 1 Kick off and 1 preparatory stakeholder meeting for the Awareness raising phase took place. September 2012: Awareness raising Mobile workers (truck drivers, seafarers, etc.) in St. 3
Petersburg and Leningrad region have benefited from reliable information on HIV and STIs risks, as well as HIV prevention, counselling and testing services, available in their region and information materials have been distributed among the target groups. 1 stakeholder meeting for the Capacity Building phase took place (During the 1 st Study Tour). February 2013: Capacity Building Medical and social professionals providing services to mobile workers and other key groups have upgraded their skills in providing high-quality services to the target groups in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, counselling, testing and treatment (2nd Study Tour and 2 workshops were conducted). Policy recommendations in this area have been discussed and produced (Final Conference in St.- Petersburg was held). Estimated total cost and main types of expenditure (EUR) Estimated own contribution by the project partners (EUR) Funding sought from external donors (amount and main types of expenditure) (EUR) Links to the NDPHS Strategy Goals and Operational Targets and the EUSBSR Strategy Action Plan 480,000 (proposed for a complete and comprehensive action) Research/Survey (including publishing program) 70,000 euro Awareness-Raising Activities (includes 12 briefing sessions for mobile workers) 50,000 euro Capacity-Building Activities (includes 2 Study Tour (16 people) to Finland with 2 multi-stakeholders workshops in St. Petersburg) 120,000 Euro Final Conference in St. Petersburg (1 day) 15,000 Euro Staff Travel 15,000 Euro Human Resources (for the applicant and partners, includes admin and logistic support) 189, 000 Euro Office Cost 21,000 Euro Not determined None yet; but possibly the European Commission The project is contributing to the EUSBSR strategy by maintaining and reinforcing the health and social well-being of the Baltic Sea Region. The proposed project carries out the goals of the NDPHS Strategy on containing the spread of HIV/AIDS, protecting individual patients and the society as a whole. On the operational level, the project would serve to reaching NDPHS Strategy goal 2 Prevention of HIV/AIDS and related diseases in the ND-area including on the indicators/operation targets 2.1/2.3 of reinforcing policy recommendations/best practices on prevention of HIV/AIDS and related diseases in ND-area. Other information The International Organization for Migration promotes understanding of migration issues and evidence based policies and programmes in the field (including on migration health). It strives to meet the needs of Member States in managing health and other related aspects of migration as well as the interests of migrants themselves. In particular, the Migration Health Department oversaw 188 projects in 2009, with an overall activity of USD 59.5 million, with the majority of 4
project activity in Asia (43%) and Africa (38%). Global expenditure on health programmes was USD 52.2 million in 2008, confirming a steady increase in needs and activity in this sector. 5