Project for the prevention of sti, hiv/aids and malaria among cocoa farmers and their families in the region of bas sassandra

Map of Cote d'Ivoire

 

Project Dates: June 2010-May 2011

Country: Côte d’Ivoire

Funder: World Cocoa Foundation

Implementer:  Association pour la Promotion de la Santé de la Femme, de la Mère, de l’Enfant et de la Famille (APROSAM)

Overview:

HIV/AIDS and malaria are among the leading causes of mortality in Côte d’Ivoire and affect a wide range of social groups.  HIV/AIDS affects the most productive age group of the Ivoirian population with approximately 10% of people between the ages of 20 and 40 living with HIV/AIDS; the agricultural population is seriously affected.  When farmers contract HIV/AIDS or malaria, they lose valuable workdays resulting in a decline in farm maintenance and reduced farm productivity.  Therefore, frequent or chronic periods of illness can significantly impact the income of farming households.

The project aims to build awareness among cocoa farmers and seasonal workers on the prevention of STI (sexually transmitted infections), HIV/AIDS, and malaria.  Participants will also learn about how to access preventative resources such as insecticide-treated bed nets and condoms.  A limited number of these items will be distributed during the course of the project.  Training and sensitization campaigns on these topics will be organized for cocoa farmers and farm workers in fifteen communities in the San Pedro area of Côte d’Ivoire.  

Communities selected will include those participating in the Sustainable Tree Crops Program and/or the Cocoa Livelihoods Program.  APROSAM is a local Ivoirian non-governmental organization that worked with Family Health International on the implementation of the project “Building and Strengthening Health and Wellness Activities for the Sustainable Tree Crops Program in Côte d’Ivoire.”

Program Objectives: