1) The Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) integrated stigma reduction messages into peer education programs for its 4000+ employees to address high levels of stigma. 2) Integrating these messages led to increased HIV/AIDS knowledge, more employees seeking voluntary counseling and testing, and positive living support groups for those who disclosed their status. 3) Lessons learned included the importance of using acceptable language, peer educators openly interacting with HIV positive employees, and consistent delivery of correct information to improve understanding and acceptance of people living with HIV/AIDS.

1. INTEGRATING STIGMA REDUCTION
MESSAGES IN PEER EDUCATION
AT THE WORKPLACE
“THE POSTA EXPERIENCE”.
FRANCIS NG’ANG’A
POSTAL CORPORATION OF KENYA
P.O. BOX 34567,
NAIROBI – 00100
TELE: +254-50-2020132
CELL: +254-722-865721
EMAIL: fnganga@posta.co.ke
Website: www.posta.co.ke

2. Background
 The Postal Corporation of Kenya, has more
than 4,000 employees spread out in the over
400 Postal outlets in the country.
 PCK is divided eight administrative regions.
 Before the year 2000, Posta did not have any
activity on HIV & AIDS.
 It did not have a policy on the same.
 It did not have trained peer educators.
 Correct information on HIV & AIDS was lacking
and the information available then was
scanty, incorrect and often misleading.

3. Background cont….
 Self-stigma was also high leading to self-isolation.
 Fear of victimization and rejection led to low disclosure
and hence failure to enter the treatment program.
 Due to self stigma some of the infected refused to
access ART from nearby hospitals.
 For fear of being seen taking the drugs, some opted to
postpone the time for taking the medication hence risk
of developing drug resistance.
 HIV infection was equated to death and one was not
expected to live.

4. Background cont….
 Due to the stigma on VCT and TB testing,
there was very low uptake of these
services.
 AIDS was viewed as curse hence the
infected saw no need for seeking
medication.
 Culture was also used as a tool to promote
stigma against the use of condoms.

5. Background cont……………..
 The level of stigma was very high. The infected were
being referred to as victims.
 The undue attention given to known infected staff
dissuaded others from opening up.
 The infected were looked upon as guilty and sinful
people who engaged in irresponsible sex.
 If an employee known to be infected was around, there
would be no hand greetings or hugging.
 Some used dettol to wash their hands after greeting
known infected staff.
 Cases of employees breaking cups and utensils that had
been used by known HIV ve+ staff made the others fear
to disclose their status.
 Some of the stigmatizing messages and words used
included among others:- Amepatwa, slim, he deserves it,
Watu wa ukimwi, amekanyaga livewire - even peer
educators were referred to as people with AIDS

6. What has been done.
 In the year 2000, employees of PCK were given the
initial PEs training which covered among other things
stigma reduction.
 The PEs initiated group and one to one sessions with the
staff with great emphasis on stigma reduction.
 They have participated in community outreach activities
that have been giving emphasis on stigma reduction.
 Raised awareness among the staff on matters of stigma
reduction, RH, HIV & AIDS etc
 Several employees who have undergone the testing for
HIV have been able to disclose their status.

7. What has been done cont……
 Networks and linkages with the other stakeholders have
been forged to the advantage of the PEs and the
employees. This is in the area of where PEs required
expertise or referrals.
 PEs facilitated the installation of condom dispensers
within the Posta premises.
 The management was sensitized on HIV and stigma
reduction leading to the development of the HIV policy.
 APHIA II has helped improve the referrals tools as an
intervention for stigma reduction.
 PEs have been involved in community outreach activities
that laid emphasis on stigma reduction.
 The PEs have carried out TB sensitization activities to
the staff.

8. Our findings
Due to the integration of stigma reduction in PEs
activities:-
 There is a marked increase in the quality of the
questions from the peers as they are now more
personal.
 There is also a marked increase in the uptake of
referral services i.e. VCT, CCC, ART etc
 The HIV ve+ have been able to access TB testing
and treatment through the referrals.
 There was a marked increase in the uptake of
condoms in the beginning but after sometime, this
went down.

9. Our findings cont……
 Those who have gone for the HIV test were able to join
post-test clubs
 Those willing have been able to disclose their status
without being traumatized.
 The PEs have been reassuring, have maintained
confidentiality and have remained non-judgmental.
 Shared success stories have led to disclosure i.e. life
experience sharing with confidentiality
 PEs have continued to act as role-models by living the
talk.

10. Our findings cont……
 As part of the stigma reduction strategy and in
an attempt to reach the other members of the
employees’ family , the PEs organised the family
days in Kisumu, Kakamega, Nyeri and Mombasa.
 The other tool of stigma reduction was the use
of PLWHAs as guest speakers where they
shared their life experiences.
 Information is power. Correct information helped
to correct the misconceptions held leading to
stigma reduction.

11. Lessons learnt
 The use of correct and acceptable words by the PEs, was one
way of reducing stigma.
 When the PEs were seen interacting with HIV ve+ people
comfortably, the other employees followed suit leading to
stigma reduction, thus fear of the infected was reduced.
 Motivational talks on positive living led to more disclosures.
 The demonstration on correct use and disposal of the condom
led to better understanding and acceptance.
 The consistent and persistent delivery of correct information
by the PEs, especially on stigma reduction led to a better
understanding and acceptance of the PLWHAs.

12. Lessons learnt cont….
 The PEs from the different cultures made the employees
from these communities accept the information and
hence reduced stigma.
 Integration of stigma reducing messages in all their
activities, keeps the message alive.
 The infected must be given continuous counseling
support.
 PEs must be given additional training on stigma
reduction techniques.
 Managers do not perceive the risk of infection but
imagine that AIDS is for junior officers

13. Lessons learnt cont…..
The integration of stigma reduction messages in the PEs
sessions led to:-
 A marked reduction of stigma among the employees of
PCK.
 Some staff being able to disclose their status.
 The infected able to access ART and other psychosocial
services.
 Correct information led to better understanding hence
reduced stigma.
 Interpersonal communication led to a greater willingness
by the infected to disclose their status.
 Through the use of appropriate and acceptable words by
the PEs made the delivery of the messages easy.
 The PLWHAs are no longer referred to as victims.

14. Recommendations Development, integration and dissemination of stigma
reduction messages in all workplaces.
 The part on stigma in workplace HIV & AIDS policies
needs to be strengthened.
 Peer education must be a continuous.
 Their motivation must be addressed.
 PEs lead the stigma reduction war, the issue of
Additional training on stigma reduction techniques for
the PEs.
 Training of managers as peer educators and on stigma
reduction be undertaken for active participation.
 Training for ambassadors of hope among the infected
employees as candidates for magnification on positive
living.
 Continuous counseling support for the PLWHA.
 Mainstreaming of stigma reduction activities at the
workplace.

15. Finally
We must persist in our passing on of correct
information on HIV & AIDS to help fight
the monster STIGMA.
Lets act now!!!!!!!!!!!