HIV/AIDS Prevention Amongst Tour Driver Guides in Amboseli, Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Mt Kenya Region

Project Overview

From 2010 to 2011, the African Propoor Tourism Development Centre implemented a targeted public health initiative titled “HIV/AIDS Prevention Amongst Tour Driver Guides in Amboseli, Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Mt Kenya Region.” This project was part of the broader national program “Total War Against HIV/AIDS” funded by the National AIDS Control Council. The initiative strategically focused exclusively on tour driver guides in major tourism hubs including Amboseli, Nakuru, Maasai Mara, and Mt. Kenya Region. These tourism professionals were identified as both a vulnerable population and potential agents of change in the national fight against HIV/AIDS.

Project Rationale

Tour driver guides face unique HIV risk factors including:

• High mobility between urban centers and remote tourism destinations
• Extended periods away from family and regular partners
• Regular interaction with diverse populations across multiple locations
• Limited access to health services and prevention materials while on safari circuits
• Irregular working hours and extended periods on the road
• Strategic position as influencers within both tourism sector and local communities

Additionally, tour driver guides represented an untapped resource as potential HIV/AIDS educators who could reach both local communities and domestic/international tourists due to their pivotal role in the tourism experience.

Key Objectives

The project aimed to:

• Increase awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention methods among tour driver guides
• Create sustainable access points for prevention materials along popular safari routes
• Develop a network of peer educators within the tour guide community
• Reduce HIV transmission rates among driver guides and associated communities
• Integrate HIV/AIDS awareness into tourism operations through driver guide influence

Implementation Strategy

The project utilized a multi-faceted approach tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of tour driver guides:

1. Needs Assessment: Initial mapping of tour guide routes, schedules, and specific risk behaviors.
2. Outreach Program: Mobile outreach activities designed to reach guides at popular stop points and lodges.
3. Peer Education System: Training selected driver guides as HIV/AIDS peer educators with ongoing support.
4. Prevention Materials Distribution: Strategic placement of condom dispensers at driver rest points and regular supply maintenance.
5. Educational Materials: Development and distribution of information materials designed for mobile professionals.
6. Partnership Development: Collaboration with tour companies, safari lodges, and driver associations.

Key Achievements

The project achieved significant milestones during its implementation period:

• Reached 1,000 tour driver guides with comprehensive HIV/AIDS education
• Installed condom dispensers at strategic locations along safari routes
• Trained a cadre of HIV peer educators from within the tour guide community
• Distributed thousands of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials
• Conducted regular sensitization sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention
• Established sustainable condom distribution networks in key tour guide gathering points
• Created partnerships with tour companies to support ongoing prevention efforts

Challenges and Solutions

The project encountered several challenges:

• Highly mobile target population making consistent engagement difficult
• Irregular and unpredictable work schedules of driver guides
• Varying literacy levels among guides
• Cultural and religious barriers to discussing sexual health

These challenges were addressed through:

• Mapping of common tour routes and strategic intervention at key stopping points
• Flexible scheduling of outreach activities aligned with tourism seasonality
• Development of visual and multilingual materials suitable for brief engagement periods
• Training of respected senior guides as peer educators

Long-term Impact

The project created lasting systems for HIV/AIDS prevention among tour driver guides:

• Trained peer educators continued their work beyond the project timeline
• Tour companies incorporated HIV/AIDS awareness into driver guide training
• Increased demand for HIV testing and counseling services in target areas
• Integration of HIV/AIDS messaging into some tour narratives for tourists
• Greater collaboration between tourism sector and public health organizations

Conclusion

The “HIV/AIDS Prevention Amongst Tour Driver Guides” project demonstrated the effectiveness of targeting prevention efforts within a specific, influential tourism profession. As an integral component of the national “Total War Against HIV/AIDS” program, it showcased how targeted interventions could reach key mobile populations. By engaging 1,000 tour driver guides directly and establishing sustainable prevention systems along safari circuits, the African Propoor Tourism Development Centre created ripple effects extending to both local communities and tourism operations. The project illustrated how tourism professionals, beyond their economic role, can be leveraged as a platform for addressing critical public health challenges. The model developed has informed subsequent initiatives targeting mobile populations and has been recognized as an innovative approach to reaching underserved communities through profession-specific interventions.