Description
The project aims to improve the health status of the main target group, inmates, by means of active re-socializing activities which include service provision and information in order to increase the health culture of vulnerable communities in prisons. The main focus of activities is on blood transmitted diseases, mainly HIV, HBV and HCV. The project activities will contribute for increasing of the legal culture of inmates so that they are able to exercise their rights. These activities include organizing separate seminars for inmates and prison staff focused on health and rights. The project includes also preparing analyses and recommendations for work in order to be more efficient in maintaining a better health status among inmates and also implementing a national information campaign. An important element of the project is the provision of tests and HIV, HVB and HCV. The project will create a model for work in other penitentiaries and it will comply with the requirements for prevention of HIV and Hepatitis. The main beneficiaries of the project are inmates infected with blood transmitted diseases and prison staff who will receive appropriate training.
Summary of project results
The intention of the project was to contribute to a higher health status of inmates in prison of in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Sliven (female prison) by supplementing the activities of the national healthcare authorities, which lack sufficient funding. An overall goal was the development of a model for health prevention and piloting it in the Bulgarian penitentiary system. The main topic was is on blood transmitted diseases, mainly HIV, HBV and HCV. The project promoter has applied its extensive experience in carrying out related information campaigns and in providing health testing services. The project targeted both the prison staff and the prison inmates. The approach combined training with possible testing. The training sessions involved totally 395 participants of the 2 target groups. 309 persons were examined and tested. Basing on the data on morbidity among prisoners, Guideline on prevention and patients` rights was elaborated. It was circulated not only in the 3 target prisons, but in all the prisons and IDFs in Bulgaria. The representatives of the target groups showed high interest in such a type of intervention leading to significantly exceeded target values of the planned indicators.
Summary of bilateral results