A great deal of work has already been carried out implementing HIV awareness, prevention, testing and condom distribution locally through African community, faith and football events. This project is about rolling that work out to major distribution employers along and around the M1 corridor, from Milton Keynes and Luton to Nottinghamshire and Derby.
Distribution centres often employ large numbers of low waged African men, usually on long shifts. Many are working through agencies and travel on buses to work from local conurbations (many with high HIV prevalence and late diagnosis). Many of these men don’t have time to take part in community activities so can't be reached by existing awareness schemes.
Our project is funded by Public Health England's HIV Prevention Innovation Fund. It features the Healthy Hub Roadshow, offering free workplace health awareness days. These provide information about HIV, safe sex and condom provision, as well as promoting different HIV testing options.
Employers are encouraged to allow the workforce to attend health days and by involving other health providers, we are presenting HIV as part of the overall health awareness picture, alongside diabetes, prostate cancer, hepatitis, smoking cessation and alcohol and drug use.
The project uses the MRC process evaluation model to assess intervention fidelity, reach, adoption, and implementation. Quantitative monitoring data and qualitative interview data are being collected and we aim to recommend how this project could be replicated and linked to fitness for work, sickness rates, later diagnosis reduction and mental health.
To find out more about this project, please contact Dr Holly Blake or Dr Catrin Evans.